When Rafael Nadal’s Paris Games ended with a doubles loss, marking the possible end of his Olympic career, he took in the applause as he left the stadium, a place central to his legacy because it hosts the French Open, which he has won a record 14 times.
The defeat, 6-2, 6-4, came alongside Carlos Alcaraz against the fourth-seeded American pair of Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram. Was this match possibly Nadal’s last at Roland Garros?
Nadal answered, “Maybe,” later that evening. “I don’t know.” As for whether it was his last match anywhere, no one can be sure, not even Nadal himself.
After gathering his gear from the sideline, the 38-year-old Spaniard looked around the venue, which meant so much to him, and waved to the spectators, who gave him yet another standing ovation during these Olympics.
Before stepping through the door to the locker room, Alcaraz placed his right hand on Nadal’s left shoulder.
“If that’s the last time (here) for me, it’s an unforgettable feeling and emotions. They give me the love and support every single second that I have been on court,” Nadal said about the spectators, who cheered and sang for him throughout the quarterfinal match.
“It’s super, super special to feel that, particularly in this place. So I can’t really thank all of them enough for giving me the feelings I have inside myself and the emotions they make me feel,” he continued. “I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but if that’s the last time, I enjoyed it.”
The match took place at Court Philippe Chatrier, where French Open finals are held and where Nadal won more than half of his 22 Grand Slam titles. “For me,” Ram said, “Rafa at Roland Garros is the ultimate.”
Nadal has not announced any plans to retire, but considering his age and recent injury issues, including hip surgery in 2023, it seems likely that he may not have much time left in his career. He mentioned on Wednesday that he doubts he will compete in the U.S. Open starting in late August.
“I need some time (to decide), but for me, (it) looks difficult,” Nadal said.
He won gold medals for Spain in singles at Beijing in 2008 and in doubles at Rio de Janeiro in 2016. This time, he was defeated in singles on Monday by rival Novak Djokovic.
When Krajiceck served out the win, Alcaraz and Nadal hugged on one side of the net, and the Americans did the same on the other side.
“It was an unbelievable experience for me. It’s something I will never forget, that’s for sure — playing on the same side of the net (as) Rafa,” Alcaraz said. “I tried to enjoy every single second that we played together.”
Nadal and Alcaraz don’t often play doubles together; this was their first event as a pair.
They do, however, have a combined 26 Grand Slam singles titles. Alcaraz has four, including this year’s French Open in June and Wimbledon in July.
“I’m a little disappointed right now,” Alcaraz said. “Obviously we wanted to keep going. We wanted to get the win and give us a chance to fight for a medal.”
Ram and Krajicek are more experienced in doubles. Both have been ranked No. 1. Ram has won four Grand Slam titles in men’s doubles with another partner, and Krajicek has one.
All four players on court could be heard talking over the quiet that filled the stands before the points began. At times, the Americans’ calls of “You! You!” were clearly heard.
After points, especially those won by Nadal and Alcaraz, it got very loud under the retractable roof due to rain. There were chants of “Ra-fa!” and “Es-pa-ña!” with occasional, quieter shouts of “U-S-A!”
Nadal is one of the most popular players ever to compete at Roland Garros. He’s so popular that there is a steel statue of him just outside Court Philippe Chatrier.
