The 2024 Paris Olympics is gearing up for the top players to battle on the red dirt. It will be the final Olympics for many senior players on tour, especially Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and probably Novak Djokovic, as they will be in their 40s in the next Olympics. Djokovic and Murray have already set their goals for Paris, but there have been doubts about Nadal’s participation.
Along with Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz also needs to play at the event. Neither player has played a match for their country this season, which was the eligibility criteria for the Olympics. They could not play this season due to injuries. They must send a letter to ITF about their absence from the team. Nadal and Alcaraz are Spain’s brightest chances of winning a medal.
🇪🇸 Spain have received a wild card from the ITF for the Olympics to qualify directly for the group stage.
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz can both qualify for the Olympics if they send a formal letter to the ITF explaining the reason for their Davis Cup absence.
See you in 2024
— Swish 🍒 (@Zwxsh) November 26, 2023
Both Spaniards had a chance to play at the Davis Cup next season, but things changed when Spain received a wildcard. It enables them to play directly on the group stage at the event next year. The pair has an advantage as it’s on clay, and they hope the ITF complies with their reasons. Alcaraz played at the Davis Cup in 2022, while Nadal last played in 2019.
Carlos Alcaraz ready for Olympic debut with Rafael Nadal
Alcaraz has set his eyes on the prize in Paris next year. He will be waiting to make his debut at the Olympics for Spain. While it will be his first time at the event, it will be the last one for Nadal. The 37-year-old debuted at the 2004 Athens Olympics when Alcaraz was a year old. This time, Spain has a golden opportunity to take multiple chances of winning a medal.
Alcaraz will feel comfortable at clay, and he will also be aiming to stop Djokovic from winning gold. The Paris Olympics will be a crucial event for all players next year. While the young generation will want their debut to be perfect, the seniors are looking for a dream farewell. Alcaraz reached three clay event finals this season and won two of them.
Carlos Alcaraz would love to play doubles alongside Rafael Nadal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, held at Roland Garros:
“It would be a dream to live the experience of playing doubles with your idol” 🇪🇸
Source: Today, El Partidazo de Cope 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/UgC74wV6K9
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) July 17, 2023
The 20-year-old has thrice played at the French Open and is familiar with the courts. He reached the quarterfinals in 2022 and the semifinals this year. Alcaraz needs to utilize the courts for his game and take the top spot for his country. He missed out on playing in the Davis Cup and now will hope to win for Spain in his second chance.