With Wimbledon understandably dominating the tennis headlines, it might be easy to forget that this is an Olympics year.
So, once all the activity in SW19 is concluded, and we have crowned our new king and queen of grass, the tennis calendar makes a sharp return to clay before the hard courts emerge again just in time for the US Open.
This is a particularly busy few months, and there is so much glory up for grabs.
John McEnroe is one of many who cannot wait for this summer of sport, which is already underway, and yet whilst chatting about Wimbledon, he could not help but look ahead at what was to come.
John McEnroe can’t wait to watch one doubles pairing
Speaking on BBC Sport’s live coverage of Wimbledon just yesterday, the American, who finished his stunning tennis career having amassed seven Grand Slam titles, spoke about what he is most excited about in the Paris Olympics.
Given McEnroe had previously slated Marketa Vondrousova for her tame first-round exit from the competition, this marked a dramatic change of pace, turning from frustration to adulation.
Commentating on Carlos Alcaraz’s match against Aleksandar Vukic, which the Spaniard would win in straight sets, the 65-year-old claimed: ‘How about the doubles team at the Olympics? Nadal and Alcaraz.
‘Just let me know when they’re playing. I want to see that!’
McEnroe praised Alcaraz for the scale of his talent during that match as well, but did also issue a warning for the future in the same breath.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal, a historic doubles team
Whilst there have been some truly iconic doubles partnerships, with Andy Murray’s link-up with brother Jamie one such example that was forged on Wimbledon centre court today, few would stack up to the combination of Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.
An all-Spanish line-up, this pairing takes all the storylines of March’s Netflix Slam, which pitted the two against one another, and fuses them into a team rather than adversary.
We get to see one of if not the greatest tennis players of all time join forces with his compatriot, who has already shown all the hallmarks of a star capable of smashing many of the records left by the 38-year-old and his rivals.
The passing of the torch, Alcaraz has already revealed his excitement at playing with Nadal. And who could blame him?
He will hope to sponge up as much as he possibly can from this relationship, as taking any tips from the left-handed master himself is veritable gold dust given his successful career.
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