Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz's loss to Ram-Krajicek at Paris Olympics celebrated by Mate Pavic: "Guess doubles players are not that bad"

Mate Pavic has given his thoughts on Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal's exit from the men's doubles competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Wednesday (July 31). The Croatian rejoiced at American doubles specialists Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek getting the better of the Spanish duo, as he felt the result attested to the quality of doubles players on the main tour.

Pavic also competed in men's doubles at this week's Olympics; he and Nikola Mektic lost to Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff and Dominik Koepfer in the first round. Currently placed at No. 8 in the ATP doubles rankings, the 31-year-old has won four Major titles and was the top-ranked men's doubles player in 2018 and 2021-22.

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal, meanwhile, teamed up in doubles for the first time in their career in Paris. Although the Spaniards started on a good note by winning their first two matches, they were eventually ousted 2-6, 4-6 by USA's Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Mate Pavic was seemingly overjoyed by their loss, going by the caption of his recent Instagram story. The reigning French Open men's doubles champion congratulated Ram and Krajicek while insisting that contrary to most fans' opinion, doubles players were actually quite adept at playing tennis on the big stage.

"Well done guys! I guess the doubles players are not that bad as the whole tennis world seems to think that way," Pavic wrote in the caption of his Instagram story.

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Rafael Nadal on having possibly played his last match on Court Philippe-Chatrier: "If that’s the last time for me, it’s an unforgettable feeling and emotions"

Rafael Nadal during his doubles QF match at Paris Olympics

Speaking to the media after his doubles loss, Rafael Nadal hinted that his match partnering Carlos Alcaraz on Wednesday could perhaps have been his last outing on Phillippe-Chatrier — the court on which he won a record 14 Roland Garros titles.

"Maybe," Nadal replied to Express when probed about whether Wednesday was the last time the fans would see him on Court Philippe-Chatrier. "I think if that’s the last time, for me, it’s an unforgettable feeling and emotions. They give me the love and the support every single second that I have been on court."

During the interaction, the former World No. 1 also expressed doubts surrounding his US Open participation later this year.

"Looks like not but I’m gonna let you know soon. For me, now, I can’t give you a clear answer, I need some time," he said. "But for me, looks difficult."

Even though he failed in his medal bid, the 38-year-old can take pride in his record at the Olympics. He won the gold medal in men's singles and men's doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2016 Rio Olympics, respectively.