Rafael Nadal is getting ready for the 2024 Paris Olympics, and he's aware of the difficulties that he could be facing in the French capital.
The Spanish legend knows how it feels to lift the trophy in Paris, and also on the courts where the Olympic Games will be played. He lifted the trophy at Roland Garros 14 times, and this year, he will want to do it one more time.
This time around, it wouldn't be La Coupe des Mousquetaires that he would receive for winning the tournament at Roland Garros, but instead, a gold Olympic medal.
However, he's entering the tournament with physical issues, and knows that he will be facing difficulties, not only in singles, but also in doubles with his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.
Like Novak Djokovic, the 38-year-old Spaniard was also asked by Eurosport about Andy Murray, who will retire at the Olympic Games, explaining how much the Brit meant to him as a rival throughout his career.
"Andy Murray has been one of the great rivals in my career for many years. Roger, Novak, Andy and I have fought for the biggest tournaments week after week. He has been a good companion."
"I have had a good time with him, we have done many things together. He has been one of the players who has always maintained a pleasant character, as a teammate I have always had the feeling. He has been a beloved player for everyone in the locker room."
Naturally, the 14-time French Open champion was asked also about his doubles campaign with Alcaraz. The two don't have a lot of experience when it comes to the doubles court, but Nadal is a former gold medalist in doubles at the Olympics.
"Carlos and me are fine. We have gone from less to more in the training. Eventually, we will have a good rapport. We must play well individually and, if that happens, I think playing together in doubles would be less difficult."
"We have the illusion of doing well on the court, being together and defending the Spanish team. Each match is very difficult. We never played doubles and it will be the first time we play together."
The 22-time major winner is aware of the fact that their first-round opponents, the sixth-seeded Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez, are really solid opponents, the opposite of what he hoped for.
"In the first round, we face an established couple. To give us an idea, the Argentine No. 1 [Horacio Zeballos] was left out of the Games so that this stronger couple could compete."
"This shows the difficulty we are going to have from day one. You have to be focussed and play in the best way possible."
In singles, on the other hand, he could face his biggest rival, Djokovic, already in the second round of the tournament, but when asked about the possible meeting, Nadal refused to comment, and instead focused on his first-round match against Fucsovics.
"Don't focus on what could happen. First we will begin with doubles and then we should be focussed on the first singles match against [Fucsovics], a really great player."
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