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.



Yamal, Williams and Pedri Not Included in Spain’s Soccer Squad for Paris Olympics

The trio are younger than 23 but are playing with Spain at the European Championship in Germany - The AP
The trio are younger than 23 but are playing with Spain at the European Championship in Germany - The AP
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Yamal, Williams and Pedri Not Included in Spain’s Soccer Squad for Paris Olympics

The trio are younger than 23 but are playing with Spain at the European Championship in Germany - The AP
The trio are younger than 23 but are playing with Spain at the European Championship in Germany - The AP

Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams and Pedri have not been included in Spain's Olympic soccer squad for next month's Paris Games despite being young enough to make the team.

The trio are younger than 23 but are playing with Spain at the European Championship in Germany and will get some time off after that tournament ends, The AP reported.

Fermín López and Álex Baena are the only two players who will do the double of Euros and Olympics. The Games tournament is played with under-23 squads but each nation can add three overage players.

Barcelona's teenage defender Pau Cubarsí, who was not included in the Euro squad, made the Olympic team.

The three over-age players picked by Olympic coach Santi Denia in his 22-player list were 23-year-old Sergio Gómez of Manchester City, 24-year-old Abel Ruiz from Sporting Braga and 24-year-old Juan Miranda of Real Betis.

The players will report to training camp on July 1. Spain will debut on July 24 against Uzbekistan. It will then face the Dominican Republic and Egypt in Group C.