Rafael Nadal said goodbye perhaps forever to Roland Garros. Although he preferred not to confirm it and leave the door ajar for a possible return next year, he did acknowledge that logic indicates that Monday’s defeat against Alexander Zverev It was his last match in that Grand Slam in which he got tired of making history, breaking records and lifting trophies (14 in total). But the Mallorcan will have one more role in the clay of Bois de Boulogne. He himself assured that he dreams of stepping on that field again in a few months for the Olympic Games. And, contrary to what many predicted, it seems that Rafa will go for everything Paris 2024.
According to what the newspaper reported this Tuesday Brand, the winner of 22 Majors will be one of the five Spaniards who will play in the event in the French capital. And he would not only do it in the doubles with Carlos Alcaraz, something that is not yet confirmed. It will also be featured in the singles box. If your physique allows it, of course.
With the former number one relegated to 275th place in the rankings, after two years of very little competition due to a series of injuries, many speculated (correctly) that Rafa He had no chance of entering the individual competition of the Olympic tournament. Especially because today he has many compatriots better placed than him to fight for one of the 56 direct tickets (with a maximum of four per country) that will be distributed in the June 10 ranking, the update immediately after Roland Garros. Without going any further, there are six in the top 100, Alcaraz (3rd), Alexander Davidovich (32°), Pedro Martinez (48°), Roberto Carballes Baena (63°), James Munar (64°) y Roberto Bautista Agut (81°).
Thus, it seemed that the possibility of doubles in pairs with whoever is designated as his “heir” It was his only option to enter the Games. However, according to Marca, the Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) will include him in the list of those selected for Paris for both paintings.
Nadal will make use of his -9th protected ranking, the same one that allowed him to enter the French Grand Slam without needing a wild card-, so his place in the individual Olympic tournament would be guaranteed. Although, as already happened in Paris, that will not guarantee him appearing among the seeded, so he could meet any rival in the first round, including Alcaraz himself, the Serbian. Novak Djokovicthe Italian Jannik Sinner or even Zverev himself.
The second “obstacle” between Rafa and his fourth Games is the requirement that to be eligible a player must have played at least two series of Davis cup during the Olympic cycle, one of them in the 2023 or 2024 edition.
Nadal last played that country competition in 2019. However, the RFET will request an exemption from the International Tennis Federation y al COIwhich will surely be awarded considering the Mallorcan’s enormous history in Davis (he was champion in 2004, 2009, 2011 and 2019), in the Games (gold in singles in Beijing 2008 and in doubles in Rio de Janeiro 2016 next to Marc Lopez) and in world tennis.
The same special permission will need (and will surely obtain) Alcaraz, who was part of the Spanish Davis team only in 2022. The Murcian, another former number one and owner of two Grand Slams (US Open 2022 y Wimbledon 2023), will have his Olympic debut in Paris and would play singles and doubles with Nadal. At least that is the wish of both. We will have to see if David Ferrerwho will be the captain of the Spanish team and will make the pairs for the tournament, fulfills their dream.
“My dream is to be in the Games and I would love to play with Carlos. I think that if everything goes well, we will do it. We could have the opportunity to form a great team and aspire to great things,” the Mallorcan had said at the end of April, after his compatriot left the proposal floating in the air.
The others called up from Spain will be Davidovich (unless Pedro Martínez signs an extraordinary performance at Roland Garros and surpasses him in the ranking); Pablo Carreno Bustabronze in Tokio 2020 and who will also use a protected ranking of 18th after a year and a half out of inactivity due to a right elbow injury (he is 1,049th); and the double player Marcel Granollersa usual couple on the circuit Horacio Zeballos and that he would get together with Davidovich or Carreño
“I hope to make it to the Olympic Games. That motivates me, because it will give me another chance to play here,” he acknowledged. Rafa standing in the Philippe Chatrierminutes after his defeat with Zverev.
And later, he reflected: “I hope to arrive in good shape, but I am going to have the same problem as here; I am not going to be seeded or have much competition rhythm. If I can prepare myself better physically, with a month and half more training, I will come with the necessary confidence to enjoy and give myself opportunities. I feel that I am not far from the necessary level to do something important.