"Playing with Rafael Nadal is a dream";"Being with Carlos Alcaraz rejuvenates you"- Spain's top duo shed light on their relationship at Paris Olympics

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz shed light on their relationship before taking to the Roland Garros courts at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Nadal mentioned that being with Alcaraz 'rejuvenates him' while the latter called it a 'dream' to play with the 38-year-old.

The Spanish Olympic tennis team including David Ferrer, Anabel Medina, Pablo Carreno, Cristina Bucsa, Sara Sorribes, Nadal, and Alcaraz held a press conference on Wednesday, July 24.

Nadal has represented Spain in three Olympic Games and participated in the doubles event each time. Along with a gold medal in the singles event, the Spaniard won a gold medal in the men's doubles event. Meanwhile, Alcaraz will be playing in his first Olympics.

Nadal mentioned that the pair has maintained a good relationship and praised his partner.

"We have maintained a good relationship, an opportunity to get to know each other better and to live together. Being with him rejuvenates you . It's nice to see someone like Carlos live his first Olympic Games," the 22-time Grand Slam winner said.

On the other hand, Alcaraz revealed that he was looking forward to playing and learning from Nadal.

"I'm really looking forward to being at my first Games and being with Rafa. Returning to Roland-Garros makes it easier. We're going to give it our best and hopefully we can enjoy a great game," Carlos Alcaraz said.

The 21-year-old lacks experience playing in the doubles event but hopes to adapt quickly.

"I have less experience and I hope I can adapt quickly to playing doubles. I like playing it, but I've never been able to because of the singles. I can learn everything from Rafa. That way of competing, of fighting, and that humility off the court," he added.

Further, Alcaraz mentioned that it was a dream to play with Nadal but that did not guarantee medals.

"Playing with Rafa is a dream, but that doesn't mean guaranteed success. Medals aren't won by name. It will be a great experience, and we must adapt gradually."

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Rafael Nadal admits lack of doubles practice with Carlos Alcaraz, hopes for a kind draw at Paris Olympics 2024

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal at The Netflix Slam. (Image via Getty)

Rafael Nadal admitted during the press conference that he has not been able to prepare like the other doubles teams with Carlos Alcaraz, adding that he hopes to get a kind draw.

"We will do our best. We have not been able to prepare like other great couples out there. We are going to train together a little today and see if the draw helps," Nadal said during a press conference.

Spain's second men's doubles team is the pair of Pablo Carreno Busta and Marcel Granollers. The pair has previously represented Spain together at the Davis Cup but this will be their first time partnering at the Olympics.