Carlos Alcaraz has revealed in a statement that he won’t be at tonight’s Olympic Games opening ceremony in Paris.
The Spainaird had been planning to attend the showpiece event in the heart of Paris, but he will instead be watching from afar.
Taking to social media to share the news, Alcaraz revealed: “I was very excited to be able to go to the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics today with Spain, but tomorrow I have two games and it is advisable to rest and be ready! This begins!”
Alcaraz does indeed have a hectic Saturday schedule on what’s set to be his debut at the Games.
The four-time Grand Slam champion has been paired against Hady Habib for the singles event, with his round one clash due to take place in the daytime session at Roland Garros.
There will be little time for rest or recovery though, as he’ll return later that day to play his doubles contest with the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal.
Dubbed ‘Nadalcaraz’, the formidable duo will begin their joint quest for gold against Argentine pairing Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni.
That’s only if Nadal is up to scratch, with the 22-time Grand Slam winner sparking panic with an injury concern in the build-up to Saturday’s clash.
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It’s reported that Nadal cancelled a practice session in Paris on Thursday because of a thigh problem.
The extent of his issue isn’t yet known, but given the 38-year-old is now in the twilight of his career, any injury problems could prove terminal to his – and Alcaraz’s – hopes of gold.
Speaking to Spanish radio, Nadal’s coach, Carlos Moya, told Radioestadio Noche: “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. The Nadal-Alcaraz double is something to fall in love with.”
It’s almost certainly going to be Nadal’s final Olympics, meaning the Spanish ace, who is competing in the singles as well, will have two shots to add a gold medal to his illustrious trophy cabinet.
Should he achieve his career-long dream of topping the podium at a Games, Nadal will become the first tennis player since Andre Agassi to win all four Grand Slams, as well as Olympic gold.
Nadal won’t be the only tennis player on the search for this accolade in Paris, with Novak Djokovic also on the hunt for an elusive gold medal.
Djokovic, who is only competing in the singles, kicks his campaign off against Australian Matthew Ebden tomorrow afternoon.
