Nadal and Alcaraz triumph in Paris Olympic debut
Spain's tennis superstars win opening doubles match
The scene is genuinely incredible but the adjective surely fails to do it justice
Late Wednesday morning Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz stepped onto the court at Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris, for their first match as a doubles pairing. The symbolism of the moment was not lost on anyone, with Nadal, the veteran of 22 Grand Slam titles, and Alcaraz, the rising star who is widely tipped to succeed him as the world number one.
The match itself was a closely fought affair, with both teams trading blows from the outset. Nadal and Alcaraz eventually prevailed 6-4, 7-5, but the scoreline does not fully reflect the drama of the encounter.
The most memorable moment of the match came in the second set, when Alcaraz hit a stunning backhand winner down the line to break Nadal's serve. The crowd erupted in applause, and even Nadal could not help but smile.
The victory was a significant moment for both players. For Nadal, it was a reminder that he is still a force to be reckoned with, even at 36 years old. For Alcaraz, it was a statement of intent, showing that he is ready to take on the mantle of Spain's leading tennis player.
The pair will now face the French team of Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Nicolas Mahut in the second round. If they can win that match, they will be guaranteed a medal.
The scene is genuinely incredible but the adjective surely fails to do it justice Late Wednesday morning Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz stepped onto the court at Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris, for their first match as a doubles pairing. The symbolism of the moment was not lost on anyone, with Nadal, the veteran of 22 Grand Slam titles, and Alcaraz, the rising star who is widely tipped to succeed him as the world number one.
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