Rafael Nadal: "Carlos Alcaraz is a player predestined to be one of the best in history"

Rafael Nadal recently stated that Carlos Alcaraz was "predestined" to be one of the best players in tennis history. Alcaraz is making his Olympics debut in Paris this year and he will be playing in both the singles and doubles events.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion, who made his Olympic debut at the 2004 Athens Games, will be participating in his fourth and final edition of the prestigious event in Paris. He will be competing in both the singles and doubles events, partnering Alcaraz in the latter event.

Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz Marcel Granollers, Pedro Martinez, Jaume Munar, Pablo Carreno Busta, Sara Sorribes Tormo and Cristina Bucsa will all represent Spain in tennis at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Recently, while speaking with Spanish radio station Onda Cero, Nadal praised Carlos Alcaraz and described him as a player "predestined" to become one of the greatest in tennis history.

"I think he [Carlos Alcaraz] is a player predestined to be one of the best in history, that is what I feel when I see him play. Then in life you never know what can happen," he said (translated from Spanish).

The former World No.1 also talked about his upcoming doubles matches with Alcaraz at the Pari Olympics, where they will face the sixth-seeded Argentinian duo of Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni in the first round.

The Spaniard also stated that they have started their practice "slower" than the others as the World No.3 has not played since winning the 2024 Wimbledon Championships and he has not played for some days following his runners-up finish at the Nordea Open.

Rafael Nadal expressed that despite the slow start he and Alcaraz are "very excited" and "totally focused" for their doubles match.

"It is not just about getting along, but about playing well in doubles. He has not played for a long time and I have not played for two days last week, we have to automate the movements. We started slower, we have to understand where to return, where to choose the right shot because the spaces are smaller. We are feeling better every time. We will not have that from the start, but we are very excited and totally focused," he added.

Rafael Nadal: "It's nice to see someone like Carlos Alcaraz live his first Olympic Games"

Rafael Nadal & Carlos Alcaraz

Before commencing their campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics, the Spanish tennis team talked to the press where Rafael Nadal said that he and Carlos Alcaraz share a "good relationship." He expressed that being with Alcaraz "rejuvenates" him and that he finds it "nice" to witness the World No.3 compete in his first Olympic Game.

"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. We will do our best. We have not been able to prepare like other great pairs out there. We are going to train together and see if the draw helps," Nadal said.

At the same press conference, Carlos Alcaraz stated that he is "looking forward" to playing doubles with the 22-time Grand Slam champion.

"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," Alcaraz said.

Alcaraz expressed that he wants to gain experience and learn everything from Rafael Nadal, like his "way of competing," "of fighting," and his "humility" off the court.

"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.

In the men's singles event at the Paris Olympics, Nadal will take on Hungary's Marton Fucsovics while Carlos Alcaraz will lock horns with Lebanon's Hady Habib. Victory for the 38-year-old could see him face Novak Djokovic in the second round if both qualify.