Rafael Nadal’s Olympic dream in Paris came to an end as he and Carlos Alcaraz were defeated 6-2, 6-4 by Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in the doubles quarter-finals.
Krajicek and Ram, both Grand Slam men’s doubles champions (though not as partners), mostly dominated the match on a packed Court Philippe Chatrier.
Despite the loss, Rafa surely gave his best during the Olympics, and nothing will erase the magical Paris 2024 Olympic memory of seeing him carry the Olympic flame at the Opening Ceremony and all the joy during his matches in singles and doubles at Roland Garros.
Alcazar, however, will continue his quest for a medal for Spain, facing Tommy Paul in the singles competition tomorrow. We will be rooting for you, Carlitos—you can do it!
Rafa will be rooting for Carlos to win gold too. Carlos listened well to Rafa during doubles. Makes me wonder if Rafa will be coach for Carlos in the future?
The Olympic gold can be so difficult to win.
Iga Swiatek lost today but still has a chance to get the bronze.
Casper Ruud lost today and won’t get a medal.
Good luck, Carlos Alcaraz. Just two more wins to achieve gold for Spain.
Djokovic is crying already about his poor knee.
Can’t believe the Olympic tennis medals will be awarded so soon.
Rafa, Spain is so proud of your golds in singles at Beijing and in doubles at Rio. You gave the world a lot of excitement and hope during the Paris Olympics.
It was unfair to the higher ranked Spanish players that Nadal was allowed to play the Olympics. He showed too that he had no business being there as a player.
Brainless moron, what garbage are you spewing? Rafa is a single and double gold Olympic champion in tennis and a 14 time French open champion. Which players from Spain missed the opportunity to play at the Olympics as a result? Name them, creep.
Martinez. Classy response by the way. Did you have a good weekend? GOATOVIC winning Gold on Chatrier, only man in history to win everything there is to win. And only one ever to beat Rafa and Carlos at RG in one tournament and win it all. It’s OK for Nadal to be one of the best, but not the very best. For that you need real good character too. And not be a government puppet when real character is asked. AO 2022. The undoing of Nadal. Makes a lot of people still puke for a reason. “The people of medicine tell us to take it, then we must take it”. Slave behavior from a person who turned out unable to think for himself, with total lack of curiosity.
Hindsight is always 20/20 but I believe Spain missed a gold medal winning opportunity by not pairing Rafa with Granollers. He has years of experience playing doubles and we all know about Rafa’s success at it. We could have waited to see Nadalcaraz at Laver Cup. That being said Carlos learned a lot from Maestro Nadal and Rafa enjoyed sharing a room with him and having some fun on court after his singles loss.
Rafa was clearly the much better player on the team, and Carlos made way too many mistakes in the doubles match. I hope Rafa will still consider playing at Roland Garros in the future.
This is what I always do after a setback – cry a little, wipe my tears. Then – NEXT!
Onwards and upwards, Rafa and Spain!
May all the players stay safe throughout the Olympics during these times of living dangerously.
I will NOT be cheering for Carlos. No way. I love Tommy Paul and hope he beats him again! Carlos missed soo many shots in the match today. He will NEVER be “Rafa 2.0” as the media tries to say. Rafa will always be our GOAT. I pray the best for Rafa and his family. I pray Rafa keeps playing! Vamos, Rafa!! 🎾♥️
I’m rooting for all the players left in the draw who always thought Rafa is their idol. These include Iga Swiatek, Carlos Alcaraz, and Casper Ruud. Any of them winning gold would be good for the sport.
Danielle Colllins struck Iga with a ball during a match today and then went crazy on Iga. Collins is such a drama queen and not a nice person.
You did your best will see you in the laver Cup vamos rafa xx
It was an absolute joy and pleasure to see Rafa in Paris. We didn’t get a fairytale ending as we’d dreamed, but what we witnesses was an outpouring of love and support for Rafa during his campaign and this extended to the doubles pairing with Carlos.
Credit to Carlos for agreeing to partner Rafa and both men couldn’t have worked any harder. Carlos is a quick learner and I hope we can see them both playing doubles together at the Laver Cup. Now Rafa can get a decent rest while he decides on his next move.
Wishing Carlos the very best of luck in the singles and I hope he wins the gold.
Win or lose, Roland Garros remains the most special venue in Rafa’s career. Rafa, we hope to see you at your very best level at Roland Garros 2025. It’s still possible to see you win your 15th title at Roland Garros in the future. Nothing is out of reach for you.
Heartbroken 💔
Thank you Rafa for all the glorious times you’ve given us. Really sorry that you missed getting a medal here.
Take care and look after yourself well.
Love you ♥️
He should have played only mixed doubles which is a missing piece.
I’m now rooting for Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud to win medals in singles. On the other side of the draw, Tsitsipas or Musetti might make a breakthrough.
As long as Djokovic does not win gold, the world of tennis will be A OK. Djokovic is the most polarizing and detestable tennis player ever.
Hi, Not a fan either. Why don’t you like him?
Rafa, thank you for giving your all out there. Medals in the Paris Olympics were not meant to be, but you captivated us with your matches and magical shots. We believe in you and hope you get back to a level that will make you happy and continue to play high level winning tennis.
Rafa, you also made the Olympics more special with your carrying of the torch at the Paris Opening Ceremonies! 🥰
My heart is broken😭😭😭
Despite the loss, we were inspired to see Rafa back on court competing with Carlos.
Keep fighting in singles, Carlos. Happy to see you shutting down those retirement
journalists, Rafa. It is your call👍👏🤛💪🎾🍀❤️enjoy Paris🥰
Absolutely Isabel. Well said.