“I played the final; that’s positive.” Even after losing the final at the Swedish Open, Rafael Nadal had high hopes. But now that the Paris Olympics are beginning, the emotions and equations that the whole tennis world was waiting for are about to change. However, more sad news has come directly from the Spaniard’s camp about his injury and whether he will be seen there.

The biggest question is whether Nadal is fit enough to compete in the mega-tournament one last time. The 22-time Grand Slam champion’s right thigh and hamstring pain during yesterday’s doubles practice raised doubts about his fitness for future matches. Since it’s unclear how bad the pain is, this unforeseen problem has clouded Nadal’s prospects.

Rafa has canceled his two scheduled workouts for today due to soreness in his right leg and hamstring. This choice highlights how critical his condition is, raising doubts about his capacity to participate in forthcoming contests.

His coach Carlos Moyá further added bad news to the situation, “It was a setback and we decided that today Rafa would rest and not train to recover. We are going to give ourselves 48 hours, we have to wait.”

This announcement coincides with an increase in conjecture on social media over Nadal’s suitability for clay-court competition and the likelihood of unforeseen choices. “Rafael Nadal has cancelled today’s training session with Alexander Zverev for the Olympics 2024. National television in Spain has mentioned it is due to hamstring issues,” was also reported.

Nadal trained on clay just the day before, taking over for Juan Carlos Ferrero as coach for Carlos Alcaraz, the player he will be partnering with in doubles. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his participation, his priority remains to avoid aggravating his injury. By prioritizing his recovery, Nadal hopes to depart Paris with a sense of reassurance and readiness for future competitions.

Rafael Nadal wants to leave Paris by going “as far as possible”

Nadal will partner up with Carlos Alcaraz to create one of the most formidable tennis teams in history in addition to his pursuits in the singles division. His confidence for the big stage is increased by this relationship. Speaking about his practice with Alcaraz, Nadal said, “The Olympic Games is the biggest event.”

He emphasized their commitment, stating, “We’ll be making an effort to ensure we can leave with the peace of mind that we have tried to go as far as possible. We haven’t been able to prepare like other pairs, but we have confidence in Carlos’ form. Last week’s extensive court time should help me physically.” Additionally, Nadal expressed, “This will be my last Olympics. I’ve missed two (London 2012 and Tokyo 2020), and it hurt more than missing a Grand Slam.” 

Rafael Nadal has a great chance to leave a lasting impression at the Olympics thanks to his collaboration with Carlos Alcaraz. Their chances of success are enhanced by Nadal’s faith in Alcaraz’s form and his own physical preparedness, even in the face of difficulties and inadequate preparation.

Nevertheless, what are your thoughts on Nadal’s recent health update? Do let us know in the comment section below.