Alcaraz Hoping to Learn from Nadal at Paris Games

16 June 2024, United Kingdom, London: Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz attends a press conference on day two of the cinch Championships at The Queen's Club, London. (dpa)
16 June 2024, United Kingdom, London: Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz attends a press conference on day two of the cinch Championships at The Queen's Club, London. (dpa)
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Alcaraz Hoping to Learn from Nadal at Paris Games

16 June 2024, United Kingdom, London: Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz attends a press conference on day two of the cinch Championships at The Queen's Club, London. (dpa)
16 June 2024, United Kingdom, London: Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz attends a press conference on day two of the cinch Championships at The Queen's Club, London. (dpa)

World number two Carlos Alcaraz said he is looking forward to learning from 22-times Grand Slam champion Rafa Nadal when they pair up in the doubles at the Paris Olympics.

Three-times Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, 21, will return to Roland Garros for the singles and doubles at the Games after being crowned French Open champion there earlier this month.

Nadal won Olympic singles gold in 2008 and a doubles gold in 2016. The 38-year-old will be playing at the Games for a third time.

"I didn't expect to play doubles at the Olympic Games with Rafa," Alcaraz told reporters on Monday. "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."

Nadal is skipping Wimbledon in July in order to prepare for the Olympics while Alcaraz returns to action at the Queen's Club Championships in London later on Tuesday before starting his title defense at Wimbledon next month.

The Olympic tennis tournament runs from July 27 to Aug. 4.



Liverpool Agree Club-record Deal to Sign Wirtz

Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League semi-final football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, southern Germany on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)
Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League semi-final football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, southern Germany on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)
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Liverpool Agree Club-record Deal to Sign Wirtz

Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League semi-final football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, southern Germany on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)
Germany's midfielder #17 Florian Wirtz celebrates scoring the opening goal during the UEFA Nations League semi-final football match between Germany and Portugal in Munich, southern Germany on June 4, 2025. (Photo by Tobias SCHWARZ / AFP)

Liverpool have agreed a club-record deal worth up to £116 million ($157 million) to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, it was widely reported on Friday.

The Premier League champions will pay an initial £100 million, comfortably surpassing their own record outlay, but the performance-related add-ons, if achieved, would make it a potential British record, AFP reported.

Liverpool's overall outlay for the 22-year-old Germany international could surpass the £115 million Chelsea agreed to pay Brighton in 2023 for Moises Caicedo, who turned down Anfield.

Midfielder Caicedo cost Chelsea an initial £100 million fee, which could rise to £115 million.

Striker Darwin Nunez was Liverpool's previous record signing in 2022, although they have not paid the full £85 million as he has not met all the requirements for certain add-ons to be due.

Manchester City had been keen on Wirtz but pulled out, reportedly due to the spiraling costs of the whole package.