Rafael Nadal posing with a young Carlos Alcaraz goes viral ahead of pair's doubles campaign at Paris Olympics 2024

An old photo of a young Carlos Alcaraz striking an all-smiles pose with his idol Rafael Nadal has gone viral. The photo resurfaced in light of the pair's upcoming doubles campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which will mark Nadal's final appearance at the prestigious Games.

Alcaraz has established himself as one of the forces to be reckoned with in what many consider to be the post-Big Three era in tennis. The Spaniard is only 21, but has already clinched four men's singles titles at the Majors; the 2022 US Open, the 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon Championships, and the 2024 French Open. In a few days, the youngster is set to make his Olympics debut for Spain, with Nadal alongside him for company.

Meanwhile, Nadal's prominence in the game is slowly but surely fading. While his great achievements in the past will forever be held in high regard, persistent battles with injuries have taken their toll on the former World No. 1.

However, despite the harsh reality, the 22-time Grand Slam winner is intent on making his way out of tennis on his own terms. The two-time Olympic gold winner (2008 in singles and 2016 in doubles) is heading into this year's edition of the Games having reached the final of the recently-concluded Nordea Open, where he came up second-best against Nuno Borges.

However, there was once a time when Nadal was at the peak of his prowess and Alcaraz was merely a teenage talent keen on developing his game and learning from his legendary elder compatriot. A moment from this period, caught on camera, recently started gaining traction on X (formerly Twitter). It features Alcaraz with a trophy in his hand after winning a junior-level tournament organized by Nadal, who himself is standing beside the youngster.

The user who posted the photo also included a more recent moment featuring the two posing together donning the red and yellow of Spain as they gear up to start their doubles campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

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Carlos Alcaraz has admitted to being a "rookie" when it comes to partnering Rafael Nadal at Paris Olympics 2024

Carlos Alcaraz (L) and Rafael Nadal (R) (Source: Getty)

Alcaraz recently spoke to ABC Sports about his thoughts on partnering with Nadal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The four-time Major winner acknowledged that despite his successes in tennis so far in his young career, he is still a "rookie" compared to the vastly more experienced Nadal. The Spaniard added that he will look to the 22-time Grand Slam champion for guidance through his Olympics debut.

"I'm not nervous right now. When the time comes, I will be. And yes, obviously, he's already experienced this, he already knows what it's like to play in the Olympics, to win a gold in both singles and doubles. I'm new, I'm the rookie here, so I have to keep my mouth shut and just listen to him," Alcaraz said.

The reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion is also among the favorites for the gold medal in singles. Spain's last Olympic gold in singles came back in 2008 when Nadal defeated Chilean Fernando Gonzalez in the final.