Carlos Alcaraz announced in a statement that he will not be attending tonight’s Olympic Games opening ceremony in Paris.
The Spaniard had planned to attend the main event in the center of Paris, but he will instead observe from afar.
Alcaraz took to social media to announce the news, saying: “I was really excited to be able to attend the Olympics’ Opening Ceremony today with Spain, but tomorrow I have two games and it is best to relax and prepare! “This is the beginning!”
Alcaraz does have a tough Saturday agenda on what will be his Games debut.
The four-time Grand Slam champion has been pitted against Hady Habib in the singles category, with their first round match scheduled for the daytime session at Roland Garros.
There will be little time for rest or recovery, as he will return later in the day to compete in a doubles match with Rafael Nadal, the King of Clay.
The fearsome duo, known as ‘Nadalcaraz’, will begin their united quest for gold against Argentines Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni.
That is only if Nadal is fit, as the 22-time Grand Slam winner has caused fear with an injury concern in the lead-up to Saturday’s match.
Nadal reportedly postponed a practice session in Paris on Thursday due to a thigh discomfort.
The severity of his problem is unknown, but given that the 38-year-old is already nearing the end of his career, any injury concerns might be fatal to his – and Alcaraz’s – chances of gold.
Nadal’s coach, Carlos Moya, told Radioestadio Noche: “It was a setback, and we agreed that Rafa would rest today rather than work to recover.
“We’re going to give ourselves 48 hours; we need to wait. The Nadal-Alcaraz combination is something to adore.”
It’s almost definitely Nadal’s final Olympics, so the Spanish ace, who is also competing in the singles, will have two chances to add a gold medal to his impressive trophy cabinet.
If Nadal achieves his long-held aim of topping the podium at a Games, he will become the first tennis player since Andre Agassi to win all four Grand Slams as well as Olympic gold.
Nadal will not be the only tennis player vying for this honor in Paris; Novak Djokovic is also looking for the elusive gold medal.
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Djokovic, who is only competing in singles, begins his campaign tomorrow afternoon against Australian Matthew Ebden.
