Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz’s dreams of winning an Paris Olympics doubles gold medal were crushed on Wednesday by American combination Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek, ending Spain’s dream squad.
Paris Olympics
The great Rafael Nadal withdrew from the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, July 31, after American athletes Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek dashed his hopes of capturing a gold medal with Carlos Alcaraz. The audience at Roland Garros, where Rafael Nadal won 14 French Open singles titles, were enthralled with their progress; nonetheless, their voyage came to an end with a 6-2 6-4 quarterfinal loss. With few supporters on a packed Court Philippe Chatrier, the fourth-seeded Americans proved to be too much as they partnered beautifully to dilute the might of the Spaniards.
In what may be his final match on his beloved Parisian clay, 38-year-old Rafael Nadal, who started the Games by holding the Paris Olympics flame in the opening ceremony, leaves without the medal he so desperately wanted.
Nadal and Alcaraz faced off against a well-drilled partnership in the Paris Games, with the Spaniards receiving support from a packed Court Philippe Chatrier. The match was marked by a chaotic atmosphere, with fans roaring for the Spaniards. When Krajicek served for the match and went break points down, the umpire struggled to maintain order. However, the American fourth seeds managed to keep their cool, and when Krajicek sent down an ace on match point, the umpire confirmed the ball had clipped the line.
Nadal, 38, began the Games by carrying the Paris Olympics flame in the opening ceremony but ended it without the third Olympic gold medal he craved. The Spaniards’ frustration was evident as they disputed a line call after a sizzling Ram winner. In their two previous matches in Paris, Nadal and Alcaraz had ridden a wave of support, but this time, Alcaraz lacked his usual spark and served consecutive double faults, virtually handing the Americans the opening set.
