Though not always or for everyone, dreams can come true, and Carlos Alcaraz is well-versed in helping people realize their aspirations.
At the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, the Spaniard got the opportunity to partner with his idol Rafael Nadal, and it was an incredible experience.
Muchas gracias Rafa por esta semana y por haber compartido pista conmigo jugando por ! Hoy no ha podido ser, pero me llevo un montón de cosas para el futuro! Ha sido muy especial! ❤️ @RafaelNadal pic.twitter.com/qkF46dslVf
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) July 31, 2024
In the men’s doubles competition, the Spaniard shared the court with his illustrious countryman. Their partnership has captured the attention of many fans, as seen by the large attendance during their matches.
“It was an excellent encounter. Beyond the court, we grew closer to one another. It was fun to play doubles with him. Something I will always remember, for sure. Speaking with him both on and off the court taught me a lot. Despite the fact that we don’t play doubles too often, I thought we played excellent tennis together. In the end, it was unfortunate since we felt we could have performed better, but for me, playing with him fulfilled a dream,” stated Carlitos, using language that Alcaraz attempted to use to express his feelings while he was on the court with Nadal, as reported by Punto de Break.
After defeating Maximo Gonzalez/Andres Molteni and Tallon Griekspoor/Wesley Koolhof in their opening two matches, Alcaraz and Nadal were eliminated in the quarterfinals. Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram, who went on to win a silver medal, put an end to their journey. Alcaraz stated during the Western & Southern Open’s media day in Cincinnati that one of his key objectives is to regain his position as the top player in the world. However, in order to do so, he will need to defeat Jannik Sinner’s squad. Sinner and Alcaraz are separated in the rankings by 820 points, 450 of which are in the distance in the Race to Turin.
“My goal is to win the race, and I’m working to get there as soon as possible. I’ll aim to play well since Cincinnati is a big tournament, and we’ll see how it goes. Even if my tennis isn’t the best this year, I think I’ve won the most of my matches. In certain circumstances, I have shown mental toughness, and I am truly grateful for it. I’m happy with the way I handle some circumstances because, even when I know I’m not playing my best tennis, I always stay there. I always look for alternatives and have a positive outlook,” he remarked.
Alcaraz commented on his stunning final defeat by Novak Djokovic from the previous year: “I’m thrilled to be back and I can’t wait to compete here again. I lost a thrilling match in the final, but I have wonderful memories.”
The young Spaniard gave this explanation to Eurosport during the Olympic competition in Paris: “I already appreciate the silver medal a lot, because I know how difficult it is and I’m enjoying the moment.” I adore wearing it and I feel fantastic now. Naturally, my intense ambition made it impossible for me to leave the court. However, you must consider the bigger picture and consider how difficult it is to win an Olympic medal. I told myself, when I stood on the podium for the awards, to cherish the moment because you never know when it will come around again.
A lot can change in four years, and my goal is to be able to compete in Los Angeles in 2028. One of the most unique competitions ever is the Olympic Games. One of the greatest things about sports in general is having the opportunity to represent your nation at the Olympics. Being able to compete and try to cheer up all the Spanish people was incredibly wonderful for me. With Rafael Nadal, doubles? When we were playing matches, there were times when I had chills. It’s something I will never forget and will carry with me for the remainder of my days.”