Rafael Nadal was happy that he and Carlos Alcaraz managed to survive a tight Paris Olympics round-of-16 doubles match but made it clear afterward that he wasn’t a fan at all with the match tie-break rule.
On Tuesday, Nadal, 38, and 21-year-old Alcaraz made a positive start to their doubles match against Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof but then the Dutch duo won a tight second set to force a decider.
But it wasn’t a regular third set as a match tie-break was about the decide the winner. And it was Nadal and Alcaraz who came up big in those moments, taking the first five points of the match tie-break en route to completing a 6-4 6-7 (2) 10-2 win and setting up a quarterfinal meeting versus No. 4 seeds Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.
“We played much better than the first day. In general terms, I think we played more in harmony and more solidly throughout and I think we were better than our rivals. The thing is that in doubles everything gets complicated very quickly and that was seen in the second set, where being better than them and having more opportunities than the rest, you get to the tiebreak and you lose them,” Nadal said after the match.
Nadal slams the match tie-break rule at the Olympics
Across ATP doubles tournaments, a match tie-break is used in matches that go three sets. Nadal doesn’t have any issues with it on the ATP Tour but believes it isn’t right to have that same rule at the Olympics.
“On a personal level, I think it is totally unnecessary to play the Olympics with a super tie break. In a Tour tournament I think it is understandable because it allows singles players to also compete in doubles, but the Games are every four years and they are the most important doubles matches of our lives and this format is a bit of a lottery,” Nadal explained.
By making it past the Griekspoor and Koolhof test, Nadal survived for another day and continued his Olympic run. Previously, Nadal exited the Paris Olympics singles event in the second round after being ousted by Novak Djokovic.
However, Nadal has been enjoying his time at the Olympics so far as he took a moment to acknowledge the crowd and how they have been treating him so far.
“The atmosphere has been impressive and I’m enjoying every match I play here, with a level of affection and support that’s hard to imagine. We’re enjoying it together and it’s a beautiful thing because we know it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Nadal said.
Alcaraz on people wanting and expecting him and Nadal to win the gold medal
Way before Alcaraz and Nadal officially confirmed they would play doubles at the Olympics, were ecstatic about the prospect of the two teaming up and playing together. And now that it is happening and that they have won their opening doubles match, the possibility of the Spanish superstar duo winning the gold medal in doubles seems realistic.
Asked about it, Alcaraz highlighted that he is aware of everything but also noted that doubles is a tricky game where pretty much anything can happen on the court.
“People obviously want us to win gold in doubles, but that’s normal. We try not to think too much about it, about the pressure or the fact that we have the obligation to do it. Obviously you don’t win doubles with a name, so anything can happen,” Alcaraz said.
“There are great doubles players who form a partnership all year round, who are very confident and at a very good level. That’s why we have to try to stay focused and improve little by little. Hopefully we can achieve our goal and that of all the Spaniards.”
On Monday, Alcaraz appeared to be troubled by a groin injury during his singles second-round win over Griekspoor. But when asked about following his doubles win with Nadal, the 21-year-old Spaniard dismissed any concerns and said that he would be ready to play twice today – his singles match against Roman Safiullin and also his doubles with Nadal.
“Doubles is not as demanding as singles and when I have exerted strength with my right leg, which is where I have the discomfort, it has gone quite well. We are going to do everything in our power to try to recover as best as possible so that I can go out tomorrow without pain. I am sure that we will be at an optimal physical level to face the two matches,” Alcaraz explained.