Rafael Nadal was dumped out of the Olympic singles in a one-sided clash with Novak Djokovic.
The synergy, dynamism, and persistent cries of ‘Vamos’ came from every corner of the court, as Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal edged out Dutch duo Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof in three sets.
The Spaniards blasted through the opener by a single break before the Dutch pair battled against both the heat and an ever-buoyant Roland Garros crowd to take the match the distance.
A confident ten-point deciding tie-break saw the Spanish pair saunter to victory, winning 10-2 to progress to the quarter finals where an experienced American pair of Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek await.
With the ‘super tie-break’ coming in to replace the third set at the Olympics, the jeopardy it has added has birthed some magnificent storylines, while also bringing about some criticism.
Rafael Nadal blasts ‘lottery’ super tie-break
Nadal has mostly been enjoying his return to the court he has more or less synonymous with throughout his trophy-laden career.
However, despite the 14 French Open titles the ‘King of Clay’ has secured on Court Philippe-Chatrier, he had some stern words for the International Tennis Federation today.
In the press conference after his victory, Nadal was thin on praise for the Olympic format telling MARCA: “On a personal level, it seems totally unnecessary to play in the Olympics with a super tie break.
“In a tournament on the circuit I think it is understandable because it allows singles players to also play doubles, but the Games are held every four years and they are the most important doubles matches of our lives and this format is a bit of a lottery.”
With a gold in the men’s doubles in 2016 with Marc Lopez, his run with Alcaraz in Paris is the first time a Spanish male pair have made the last eight since.
Will Rafael Nadal get the last dance in Paris that he deserves?
After a difficult and lop-sided defeat to Novak Djokovic in the singles, Nadal has one last chance at a final Olympic triumph.
With Andy Murray continuing his fairytale farewell tour in Paris, the ground feels fertile enough for another legendary storyline to emerge.
Alcaraz’s French Open success in June has only further increased the crowd’s fondness of the young star, and having teamed up with Nadal, the duo are proving a formidably talented and popular pair.
The Americans that await ‘Nadalcaraz’ in the last eight are a far more experienced and successful team, with both Ram and Krajicek having secured major titles, with the latter winning the mixed doubles at the French Open in 2023.
While the world doesn’t want this famous run to finish, the Spanish pair will certainly be pushed all the way, with another super tie-break against the American’s remaining a major possibility.
The 38-year-old’s determination has seen him through far sterner tests, and with a healthy dose of grit and a pinch of Alcaraz-inspired luck, the medal dream is close to becoming a reality.
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