Rafael Nadal practiced alongside his doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz at Roland Garros on Friday, fueling uncertainty surrounding the Spaniard’s fitness ahead of the Olympic tennis competition. The 38-year-old missed his training session on Thursday with Germany’s Alexander Zverev, with Spain’s coach Carlos Moya revealing that Nadal was battling a thigh injury.
Nadal, a 14-time French Open champion, sported a strapping on his right thigh during Friday’s practice under the closed roof of Court Philippe Chatrier. Despite the injury, he appeared unfazed. Spain’s ‘dream team’ partnership is set to embark on their quest for gold on Saturday, facing Argentine seeds Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni.
Nadal, who secured Olympic singles gold in 2008 and doubles gold in 2016, is scheduled to face Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics in the singles competition. A potential blockbuster clash against his old rival and top seed Novak Djokovic looms in the second round.
Moya, overseeing the practice session, provided a hopeful update on Nadal’s fitness late Thursday. However, he suggested that Nadal might prioritize the doubles competition. “It is practically confirmed that he will play, unless the recovery is going very badly,” Moya was quoted by . “He is going to try out and we are optimistic that he will play on Saturday. I don’t know how it’s going to go any further. As of today, it is that on Saturday he will go out on the court to play doubles with Alcaraz.”
While doubles participation seems achievable even with the injury, Nadal might be hesitant to compete in singles. He would want to avoid jeopardizing his doubles chances with French Open and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz. “The idea of giving up one of the competitions has not been raised, but if the time comes and he is limited for the singles, it can be raised without any doubt,” Moya said. “Doubles is much less demanding and there are real options, if they play well, of a medal.”
