Carlos Alcaraz is looking forward to his Olympic pairing with Rafael Nadal, but has work to do between now and then on grass
Carlos Alcaraz shared ahead of his title defence in Queen’s this week that he is eager to learn from Rafael Nadal at the Olympics in August.
The two Spaniards will combine in a historic doubles pairing, hitting the clay of Paris just days after Wimbledon concludes in July.
“I mean, I didn’t expect to play doubles at the Olympic Games with Rafa,” Alcaraz shared on Sunday. “It is a unique moment for me but of course I am very happy about it. Let’s see how it’s going to be but it’s going to be a great time.
“Honestly, I feel he is going to teach me how to deal with everything. I am the young guy who needs to grow up as a player, to grow up as a person as well.”
“Of course it’s going to be my first Olympic Games. Everything is new for me, so I hope to learn a lot from him.”
Before the 21-year-old turns his attention to the Olympic games, he’s got quite the task in front of him on grass.
Over the next month, Alcaraz faces title defences in Queen’s and at Wimbledon, courtesy of his unbeaten run on the surface this time last year.
Having just own Roland-Garros, Alcaraz has shared that he’s feeling refreshed and ready to go in Queen’s this week.
“I had a few days off, I went to Ibiza with a group of friends. I had fun, I enjoyed my time,” he revealed.
“Obviously Roland-Garros was a fantastic two weeks for me, a dream come true to lift the trophy but right now my mind must be here on the grass,” Alcaraz continued, “to be ready as soon as I can to play good tennis here at Queen’s and obviously to get ready for Wimbledon.”
“Right now my focus is on the grass season, these two tournaments. After that, my mind will be to be ready on clay again and playing my best tennis at the Olympic Games.”
Carlos Alcaraz gets his campaign underway against former world No 19 Francisco Cerundolo at the Cinch Championships, with a potential second-round clash against in-form Brit Jack Draper looming.
