Rafael Nadal once shot back at doping accusations from former French Secretary of Sport Roselyne Bachelot. This wasn’t the first time he faced such claims; former Grand Slam champion Yannick Noah and former Belgian pro Christophe Rochus did so in 2011 and 2013, respectively.
Nadal told the media in 2016:
“You know what? I heard [about the accusations] a few times again. I am a completely clean guy. I have never had the temptation of doing something wrong. When I get injury, I get injury. I never take nothing to be back quicker.”
“I have been open all my career. I never tried to hide nothing that I did. I did PRP, and then I did stem cells.
I feel he is going to teach me how to deal with everything” – Carlos Alcaraz on teaming up with Rafael Nadal ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics
While addressing the media last month, Carlos Alcaraz mentioned that he hadn’t expected to play doubles with Rafael Nadal but was happy about it. The four-time Major champion expressed hope that Nadal would teach him how to navigate the new experience of playing at the Olympics.
I didn’t expect to play doubles at the Olympic Games with Rafa. It is a unique moment for me but of course I am very happy about it. Let’s see how it’s going to be but it’s going to be a great time. Honestly, I feel he is going to teach me how to deal with everything. I am the young guy who needs to grow up as a player, to grow up as a person as well.” Carlos Alcaraz said ( via Reuters).
Of course it’s going to be my first Olympic Games. Everything is new for me, so I hope to learn a lot from him,” he added.
Carlos Alcaraz and Nadal are set to compete in both singles and doubles events at the Games. Nadal chose to skip the grasscourt season to focus on his Olympic preparations. The 37-year-old is a two-time Olympic gold medalist (2008 and 2016) and the Paris Olympics will likely be his last foray at the quadrennial Games.
