 "Carlos Alcaraz (L) and Rafael Nadal (R) could team up for Spain at the Paris Olympics, which will be played at Roland Garros. Reuters file photo")
Carlos Alcaraz says he will form a dream team with his legendary Spanish compatriot Rafael Nadal in the men’s doubles at the Paris Olympics “if everything goes well.”
The tennis tournament at the Summer Games, which runs from 27 July to 4 August, will take place at Roland Garros where Nadal, who will be 38 by then, has won a record 14 French Open singles titles.
Speaking after reaching the Madrid Open quarter-finals — extending his Madrid Open winning streak to a record-equalling 14 matches — Alcaraz said he and Nadal had spoken “a little” about teaming up.
“If everything goes to plan, like I have already said, we will play the doubles together at the Olympics,” said Alcaraz, who turns 21 on the day of the Madrid final on Sunday.
“But there is a long way to go till it gets underway.”
Alcaraz, a two-time Grand Slam champion, said finding a tournament to warm up for the Olympics will be difficult.
Another problem for the duo is their struggle with injuries. Nadal has been hounded by them over the past couple of years and Alcaraz has returned in the Spanish capital after recovering from a forearm injury.
“We have said how wonderful it would be to play a tournament before the Olympics,” said Alcaraz.
“But that will be difficult.
“On clay the next two tournaments are Rome and Roland Garros, which are hugely important to both of us in terms of the singles.
“Considering we are not at our physical peak it will be tough to play both a tournament and the Olympics.”