Marca reports that the dream team of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal might have a tricky time to reach the 2024 Olympic Games.
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal (Antoine Couvercelle/Panoramic)
Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal have both spoken about their wish to play doubles together at the Paris Olympic Games in 2024 – but if it’s going to happen, they will both need wild cards.
Because Spain will be hosting next year’s Davis Cup Finals and have thus already qualified, they will not be part of the group stage competition – meaning neither man will be able to play a Davis Cup event in the two calendar years prior to the Games, which is mandatory.
Nadal has not played Davis Cup since 2019, while Alcaraz played in 2022 but not since then.
Spanish media Marca reports that they will be able to write to the ITF and plead their case that they had no chance to play the Davis Cup in 2024. Alcaraz’s swift rise to the top of tennis means he has only been eligible to compete in Davis Cup very recently, while Nadal’s injury problems have ruled him out of the tour as well as team competitions, despite his strong record in Davis Cup participation prior to that.