Carlos Alcaraz provides an update on Rafael Nadal’s injury setback

Rafael Nadal should start his Paris Olympics campaign alongside Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday. The Spaniard will compete against Gonzalez and Molteni from Argentina on Court Philippe-Chatrier in the men’s doubles first round. Of course, the encounter will happen if Nadal leaves the recent setback behind.

The veteran felt discomfort in his right thigh while trailing in Paris, missing Thursday’s practice run and returning to action on Friday. Asked about his teammate, Carlos Alcaraz joyfully confirmed that Rafa is at his best, as always.

The young gun encourages his idol ahead of their first test, eager to share the court with the most decorated athlete in Spanish history. Of course, Rafa is probably far from his best, but he should be ready to compete if nothing changes in the next 24 hours.

Nadal enters his fourth Olympic Games at his beloved Roland Garros after skipping Tokyo three years ago, hoping for one last chance to secure a medal or two for his country, like in 2008 and 2016.

Former world no.

1 can not catch a break for over two years, struggling in the second part of 2022 and experiencing a career-threatening hip injury at last year’s Australian Open. Eager to end his career on his terms, Nadal worked hard on his comeback and entered the ATP 250 event in Brisbane in the first week of 2024, ranked outside the top-600.

Rafa reached the quarter-final and lost a marathon to Jordan Thompson after wasting match points. The Spaniard felt the pain around his hip again and missed the Australian Open, returning to Mallorca and training ahead of Doha and Indian Wells.

Rafa skipped both events after feeling the pain in his abdomen, postponing the start of the clay season and returning to action in Barcelona. Nadal could not perform at his best at his beloved surface, falling in the second round in Barcelona before beating three rivals in Madrid, almost reaching his 100th…