Rafael Nadal caused a stir following his victorious first-round doubles match with Carlos Alcaraz at the Olympics.
The pair managed to defeat No. 6 seeds Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni. Nadal, now 38, will face his first singles match on Sunday, and should he win, a highly anticipated showdown with Novak Djokovic awaits in the second round.
This potential clash has excited fans who hope to witness one final encounter between these long-time rivals. However, Nadal’s recent comments suggest that he may not be done just yet. When asked about a possible “last dance” with Djokovic, Nadal cryptically replied, “Who says it’s the last dance?” before walking away.
Nadal, who has been struggling with injuries for the past two years, must first overcome world No. 83 Marton Fucsovics. His fitness remains in question after a recent setback caused him to cancel a planned practice session and instead focus solely on doubles with Alcaraz. Despite this, Nadal expressed satisfaction with their performance, marking his first win on Court Philippe-Chatrier since his 2022 French Open victory.
The emotional toll of the past few days was evident as Nadal reflected on his participation in the Opening Ceremony, where he carried the torch alongside tennis legends Serena Williams and Amelie Mauresmo.
Alcaraz also shared his excitement about partnering with his idol, calling it a dream come true and expressing hope for their continued success in the competition.
