Rafa Nadal: If I'm well and he wants, I'd love to play with Alcaraz in ...

Rafa Nadal is coming to an end of a glorious career in professional tennis, and there is a degree of irony at the fact as one Spanish legend is due to depart the sport, there is already a ready-made replacement.

Wimbledon champion, Carlos Alcaraz, is arguably the best player in the world at this moment, and he is just 20 years of age

He is the next generational talent in the sport and will take some unseating in the years to come. However, before Nadal retires, he would actually quite like to play alongside the young phenomenon at the Olympic Games in 2024.

“I hope so, I don’t know. If I’m healthy and he wants to, I’d be delighted,” Nadal replied to MARCA when asked if he would play alongside Alcaraz in the Olympic Doubles in Paris.

What does Nadal make of Alcaraz’s ability?

Whilst it’s impossible not to be impressed by the brilliance that the 20-year-old regularly displays on court, it would be easy for Nadal to take the position of a grizzled veteran and criticize Alcaraz.

However, he is supportive of the young Spaniard, making clear that he is superior to his colleagues.

“I think Carlos is superior to the others and the reality is that Novak has had enormous success and we must congratulate him for everything,” he added.

“I think there are other players with a high level like Jannik Sinner and Holger Rune who started well and now is going through a bad period.

“In the end, winning is always difficult and you have to appreciate what they all do.”