Rafael Nadal (L) and Carlos Alcaraz©AFP
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz brought the Roland Garros crowd to its feet as the Spanish dream team opened their Olympic Games doubles campaign with a straight sets victory over Argentines Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni on Saturday. In front of a noisy, packed crowd under the roof of the Philippe Chatrier Court, the pair won 7-6 (7/4), 6-4. Hours earlier, when Alcaraz opened his singles campaign with a straight sets victory over Hady Habib, the 21-year-old said it was a “dream” to play alongside his compatriot. The pair received a standing ovation on the same packed Philippe Chatrier Court where Nadal won 14 French Opens and Alcaraz won his first last month.
Nadal, winner of Olympic singles gold in 2008 and doubles gold eight years later in Rio, had his right thigh bandaged, the legacy of an injury that could still ruin his hopes in the singles, where old rival Novak Djokovic appears as an opponent in the second round .
Gonzalez and Molteni, the sixth seeds, entered the arena to a chorus of boos following a recent racist spat between Argentina and France.
The Spanish duo got off to a nightmare start when the Alcaraz was broken in the first game. Having not played doubles on tour since 2022, the rust was not surprising.
Nadal’s greater experience was key as the counterattack was quickly recovered, with the 38-year-old’s reflexes sharper than ever at the net.
Alcaraz and Nadal reached three set points in the tiebreaker and a precise backhand from Nadal secured the first goal.
Gonzalez and Molteni took a 3-0 lead in the second set, but the Spanish duo came back to equalize.
Nadal secured another key break with a rasping backhand return to allow him and his partner a 5-4 lead and the opportunity to serve for the match.
That honor fell to the 22-time Grand Slam champion and victory was secured when Alcaraz hit a crouching forehand winner into the net.
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