Carlos Alcaraz has offered an encouraging update on the fitness of Rafael Nadal after he suffered a new injury scare on the eve of the Olympics. The veteran Spaniard cancelled a practice session on Thursday due to a thigh problem, sparking fears that he could withdraw from the Games.
Nadal was also spotted with the upper part of his leg bandaged in the hours before the opening ceremony. He is set to partner Alcaraz in the men’s doubles but the news of his latest injury has cast fresh doubt over his participation.
Both players trained at Roland Garros on Friday in a positive turn of events before Alcaraz was quizzed on Nadal’s fitness and whether he would be ready to play. He offered a short but sweet response, telling Clay: “The guy is fine, he’s at his best. He’s always fine, like always.
David Ferrer, captain of the Spanish team, also expressed hope that Nadal will be fit enough to partner Alcaraz in Saturday’s match against Argentina duo Andres Moltini and Maximo Gonzalez.
“I’m sure Rafa will be in tomorrow’s doubles because he trained well today,” said Ferrer. “Let’s see how he feels. The doubles requires less intensity than the singles, in which you have to be very well prepared physically and in full condition.”
Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya said on Thursday that he would be forced to make a late call on whether or not to play at the Olympics. However, it seems that his recovery process is going well, which suggests he is likely to play unless there are any further setbacks.
The 38-year-old is widely expected to retire at the end of the season but is yet to reveal when he will bring the curtain down on his glittering career. He will be hoping to mark his final Olympics by claiming his third gold medal, having achieved singles glory in 2008 before winning doubles in 2016.
Nadal was recently quizzed on his plans for after the Games and revealed that he would be taking a break to regroup ahead of the US Open, having entered the main draw on a protected ranking.
“Nothing is linear in this life, there are moments and states which normally go hand in hand with physical states,” he said. “I try to enjoy and live what I feel at each moment, always with a positive vision of what my day-to-day is within my possibilities.
“After this, I am going to take some time to think carefully about what I need for myself as a person, what I really want to do. I will play the Laver Cup. After the Games, I will take some time to think carefully about what I need.
