It was fun while it lasted, right? The dream doubles partnership Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz —Nadalcaraz– in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games Sadly it’s over. Well done Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram, we hope you’re very pleased with yourselves, didn’t you realise it was very important for Rafa to win a gold medal on the hallowed red clay of Roland Garros in front of an adoring public?
A couple of matches, plenty of fist pumps and a few thrilling backhands down the line in the Parisian sunshine, fleeting reminders of one of tennis’ great legacies. As a (possible) farewell, it was pretty good for the king of clay and his likely successor. And while they didn’t get the gold they so desperately wanted, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz They can take solace in the fact that no one – not even the veteran American doubles specialists – can match their game. watches on and off the court.
A champion of style
Rafael Nadal and his Richard Mille RM 27-05.Images: Getty Images/Courtesy
One of the pioneers in wearing a clock Weighing as much as a feather and costing as much as a Ferrari (possibly two Ferraris), Rafa left it all on the court with his signature Richard Mille RM 27-05the latest version of a collaboration that dates back to 2008. In 2010, Nadal debuted his first RM 27a game-changer in the elite athlete sponsorship space. A watch that is both high-performance, looks great on a TV camera while smashing winners and holding a giant trophy aloft, and weighed just 20 grams.
This edition weighs even less, if that’s possible, at just 11.5 grams (that’s… veeeery light), the RM 27-05 Flying Tourbillon It’s a watch worthy of a Bond villain’s lair, with a dramatic black case made from something called Carbon TPT B.4, a material originally used in Formula 1 cars, so it must be good.
New blood on the way
Carlos Alcaraz and his 40mm Rolex Day-Date.Images: Getty Images/Courtesy
We probably won’t see much more of him. Rafael Nadal on the court with his trusted RM on the wrist, but Carlos Alcaraz will definitely be sporting a Rolex with a big smile on his face for years. While the Spanish veteran has made it his trademark to sport some of the Richard Milles More avant-garde and technically impressive, Alcaraz’s young blood is following in the more classical footsteps of Roger Federer, at least from a watchmaking standpoint. Recently, the four-time Grand Slam winner has sported a yellow gold Daytona with an intricate meteorite dial and rubber strap.
Breaking with tradition, Carlitos seems to have traded the Daytona for an elegant Rolex Day-Date de 40 mm with a black baguette dial. The kind of watch you might wear if you’re looking to declare your first Olympic gold medal… even if it’s not the one you’d want to win alongside your idol in a stadium with a statue of him outside.
The dream is over; the memories are forever… the watches are unmatched.
Article originally published in GQ UK.
