What remains from the last Nadal/Alcaraz doubles match at the Olympic Games are (too) confident fans and (slightly) impatient journalists.
Author: Tobias Wüst, Paris
31.07.2024, 11:41
Caption: Was it his last appearance in Paris? Rafael Nadal says goodbye to the audience, Carlos Alcaraz (in the background) is still competing in the singles. Keystone/AP/Manu Fernandez
It was definitely not the best manners of the Spanish fans in the wide circle of the Court Philippe-Chatrier. In the doubles duel between their favorites Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal against the American duo Austin Krajicek/Rajeev Ram, any “USA” chants, no matter how tender, were nipped in the bud with boos.
It was not surprising that the audience clearly took sides in this quarter-final. The points won by “Nadalcaraz” were cheered frenetically, and when games were won, the largest arena at Roland Garros literally exploded. The stands were only slightly speckled with red, but it seemed as though every neutral observer joined in with the “Vamos” chants.
There is no other option: they will destroy their enemies.
Of course, everyone had in the back of their minds: This epic Spanish constellation will most likely never happen again – and Nadal’s professional career is, as we know, in its final stages.
Spaniards “can beat anyone”
Before the game, the fans who had made the pilgrimage to Paris from the Iberian Peninsula could only imagine one outcome. “It will be an easy game for both of them, there is no other way. They will destroy their opponents,” said Gigi, who travelled from Zaragoza with his colleague Eduardo.
Caption: «Vamos Rafa, vamos Carlitos!» Eduardo, Gigi and Elena celebrate their stars. SRF/Tobias Wüst
For Fernando from Madrid it was clear: “We are Spanish, which means we can beat anyone. Nadal doesn’t have much time left, so I hope they win gold together.”
The US fans were clearly under-represented – and also unusually subdued. Hillary from the USA, surprisingly wrapped in a Spanish flag, was the only one hoping for a close match over three sets, “but in the end the Spaniards have to win.” However, she has the US flag in her pocket – probably in case the evening does not turn out as hoped.
Caption: With a divided heart, Hillary, a cross-national fan, is dancing. SRF/Tobias Wüst
Nadal’s sand patch and Indian take-away
The match was actually very one-sided – but not in favor of “Nadalcaraz.” The Spaniards’ lack of doubles practice was evident against the experienced and experienced number 4 seed. After a sluggish move at the net and a subsequent fall, Nadal played almost the entire match with a large patch of sand on his back – a rare sight for the actual king of clay.
After Krajicek/Ram broke to nil in the second set to make it 4:3, a victory for the illustrious Spanish duo, who have 26 Grand Slam triumphs in singles between them, seemed a long way off. A journalist in front of me was already checking her public transport connections, while two seats away another colleague ordered Indian food.
The end of the “magic couple”
At least the audience celebrated Alcaraz and Nadal until the bitter end – especially since the two singles specialists pulled out a few magic shots in the last game. But the clear 2:6, 4:6 defeat at the end could no longer be avoided.
Afterwards, in the still sultry dusk, the Spanish fans left. For Gonzalo from La Rioja, who attended the match with his six-year-old son, the evening will remain unforgettable. “They are a magical couple, Nadal and Alcaraz.”
