Date: Wednesday, 31 July 2024
Location: Roland-Garros, Court 6
Event: Men’s Doubles Quarter-final
Nadal and Alcaraz’s Quarter-Final Journey Ends
In a much-anticipated match at the Paris Olympics 2024, the dynamic Spanish duo of Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, fondly referred to as “Nadalcaraz,” were defeated by the formidable American pair Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram. This match, potentially marking Nadal’s last appearance at Roland Garros, saw the Spanish pair bow out with a score of 6-2, 6-4.
Match Highlights
The quarter-final clash was intense, with the American fourth seeds showcasing their expertise in doubles play, ultimately securing their spot in the semi-finals. Despite the loss, Nadal and Alcaraz’s earlier performances had captured the hearts of the crowd at the Paris Games.
Scoreline:
- CZE (Machac/Pavlasek): 3 – 6 – [10]
- GER (Krawietz/Puetz): 6 – 1 – [5]
Match Duration:
- 1st Set: 34 minutes
- 2nd Set: 25 minutes
- 3rd Set: 13 minutes
Reflecting on the Journey
Reflecting on their journey, Alcaraz commented on their improved gameplay, “We knew that this match was going to be better than the first one. We know each other much better on the court. We know how we have to play in the doubles. I feel like I was more of a doubles player.”
The pair had previously advanced to the quarter-finals after a thrilling match against the Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof, securing a 6-4, 6-7, 10-2 victory.
Quarter-Final Battle
In their match against Krajicek and Ram, the Spaniards fought valiantly but struggled to maintain their earlier momentum. The Americans’ solid play and strategic moves led them to a straight-sets victory, ending Nadal and Alcaraz’s Olympic doubles run.
Key Moments
Despite the loss, Nadal emphasized the positive aspects, saying, “Well, we had fun because the score was positive in the tiebreak. We have been suffering but of course we are enjoying playing together. We are creating good synergies with good energy, so we are having fun in general.”
Alcaraz added, “I played really good tennis at the net. I served pretty well so I think we both played really good tennis – much better than the first one. We are going to keep working. We are going to keep improving our doubles game and it’s going to be better in the quarter-final.”
Looking Ahead
As the tournament progresses, the exit of “Nadalcaraz” leaves a significant void, but their journey has undoubtedly added to the excitement and narrative of the Paris Olympics 2024. The focus now shifts to their individual performances, with Nadal and Alcaraz continuing to be key players to watch.
Chair Umpire: Robert Balmforth (GBR)
