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.



Chinese Badminton Player, 17, Dies after Collapsing on Court

In the handout picture taken and released on July 1, 2024 by public relations and media division of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) shows, Chinese badminton players and coaches (R), along with all players competing in the 2024 Asia Junior Championship, praying together for the late Chinese player Zhang Zhi Jie. (Photo by Handout / public relations and media division of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) / AFP)
In the handout picture taken and released on July 1, 2024 by public relations and media division of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) shows, Chinese badminton players and coaches (R), along with all players competing in the 2024 Asia Junior Championship, praying together for the late Chinese player Zhang Zhi Jie. (Photo by Handout / public relations and media division of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) / AFP)
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Chinese Badminton Player, 17, Dies after Collapsing on Court

In the handout picture taken and released on July 1, 2024 by public relations and media division of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) shows, Chinese badminton players and coaches (R), along with all players competing in the 2024 Asia Junior Championship, praying together for the late Chinese player Zhang Zhi Jie. (Photo by Handout / public relations and media division of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) / AFP)
In the handout picture taken and released on July 1, 2024 by public relations and media division of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) shows, Chinese badminton players and coaches (R), along with all players competing in the 2024 Asia Junior Championship, praying together for the late Chinese player Zhang Zhi Jie. (Photo by Handout / public relations and media division of the Indonesian Badminton Association (PBSI) / AFP)

A 17-year-old Chinese badminton player died after collapsing on court during an international tournament in Indonesia, officials said on Monday, mourning him as "outstanding" and "talented".

Zhang Zhijie was suddenly taken ill during a match late Sunday against Japan's Kazuma Kawano at the Asia Junior Championships in Yogyakarta.

The score was 11-11 in the first game when Zhang fell to the floor. He received treatment at the venue and was taken to hospital by ambulance, but passed away after efforts to resuscitate him failed.

According to Agence France Presse, the cause of death was not immediately known.

"China's Zhang Zhijie, a singles player, collapsed on the court during a match in the evening," Badminton Asia and the Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) said in a joint statement on Monday.

"He was sent to the hospital where he passed away at 23:20 local time yesterday.

"He was attended to by the tournament doctor and medical team. He was taken in the standby ambulance in less than two minutes and sent to hospital.

"The world of badminton has lost a talented player," the statement added.

Zhang started playing badminton in kindergarten and joined China's national youth team last year.

Earlier this year he won the singles title at the Dutch Junior International, a prestigious youth tournament.

China's badminton association said that it was "deeply saddened".

"Zhang Zhijie loved badminton and was an outstanding athlete of the national youth badminton team," the CBA said in a statement.

It added: "At present the local hospital has not yet identified the cause of death."

The team tournament in the city of Yogyakarta held a moment's silence on Monday and the Chinese team wore black armbands as a mark of respect.