Rafael Nadal acknowledged on Saturday that he does not know if he will play singles at the Olympics after suffering a thigh strain in training.
“I’m not sure if I’ll play tomorrow,” he stated after winning the Roland Garros doubles with Carlos Alcaraz.
“I will talk to my people and make the smartest decision that I can to have the best chance of bringing a medal home.”
“I will talk to my people and make the smartest decision that I can to have the best chance of bringing a medal home, so let’s see.”
Nadal, who has been plagued by injuries throughout his career, paired up with Carlos Alcaraz for the first time, defeating Argentina’s Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in front of a packed, noisy crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Nadal, who won a gold medal in singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a doubles triumph in Rio four years later, appeared on court with a bandage around his right thigh.
The Olympics are only his ninth competition of 2024, during which he has also battled a hip injury and watched his singles ranking drop to 161.
“Sometimes more isn’t always more, and sometimes more is less,” Nadal said of the decision he confronts.
“I’m just enjoying the moment playing doubles with Carlos,” said Nadal, who carried the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony on Friday.
“Today was an unforgettable day for me, just as yesterday was. I am loving every moment and having the best experience imaginable.”
Hours earlier, after defeating Hady Habib in straight sets, Alcaraz, 21, said it was a “dream” to play alongside his countrymen Nadal.
The players received a standing ovation on the same crowded court where Nadal won 14 French Open titles and Alcaraz won his first just last month.
Gonzalez and Molteni, the sixth seeds, entered the arena to a storm of boos following a recent racist dispute between Argentina and France.
The Spanish pair had a disastrous start when Alcaraz was broken in the first game. The rustiness was understandable given that he hadn’t played doubles on tour since 2022.
Nadal’s greater experience paid off, and the break was immediately recovered, with the veteran’s reflexes as razor sharp as ever at the net.
In the tiebreaker, Alcaraz and Nadal went to three set points, and Nadal’s exquisite backhand down the line secured the first set.
Gonzalez and Molteni raced ahead 3-0 in the second set, but the Spanish duo rallied to equalize.
Nadal won another vital break with a rasping backhand return, giving him and his partner a 5-4 lead and the opportunity to serve for the championship.
That honor went to the 22-time Grand Slam champion, who won victory with a winning forehand while crouched at the net.