Carlos Alcaraz will, like most other tennis players competing for their countries this summer, have grand ambitions of claiming gold at the Olympics.
However, few are enjoying the mesmeric run of form that the Spaniard is, having already won two of the three Grand Slam titles this year, and arguably in the perfect form to now enjoy success in Paris.
In what will be his very first Olympic games, he returns to the site of his June triumph, having already won Roland Garros this season.
This marks just another reason why he will be the outstanding favourite to once again go far and battle for the title.
Today marks the start of his preparation, and he actually has a plan that involves the French Open to kickstart his title run.
Carlos Alcaraz has pre-Olympics Roland Garros plan
The latest on his pre-Olympics plans come courtesy of Spanish outlet AS, who outline how Carlos Alcaraz is set to start this week of preparation.
However, their reporting also involves Rafael Nadal too, suggesting that the two will be in ‘Olympic mode’ as they both arrive in Paris today.
The two are not planning to train together today, but Alcaraz has his own solo training reserved from 11 am to 1 pm.
Meanwhile, the 38-year-old will conduct his own preparation in the afternoon, starting at 3 pm.
It is expected that they will combine later in the week to brush up on their doubles team, an Olympics tennis partnership that John McEnroe can’t wait to see.
This particular union sees the greatest champion in the history of the French Open team up with the current defending champion, and thus fireworks are promised regardless of whether they secure the gold medal or not.
Carlos Alcaraz already returning to the site of his French Open title
The reasons why Alcaraz will be the favourite for the singles are innumerable, but at the forefront is his recent Roland Garros win.
After all, not only did he excel with a clear injury, having nursed his arm ailment back to enough health to compete, but he did so by defeating plenty of the tournament’s star men too.
With Novak Djokovic bowing out through an injury of his own at the quarter-final stage, the Serbian left the floor open for a new champion to be crowned.
Alcaraz would not be denied, defeating the world number one Jannik Sinner as well as Alexander Zverev in the final despite trailing by two sets to one.
His spirit and quality were on show for all the world to see, and since then he has only improved as well in both fitness and technical brilliance.
It would take an almighty feat to stop him at the site of his Roland Garros title triumph, and today marks the start of an arduous process where he will be going for gold.
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