Rafael Nadal to Play for Spain at Olympics, Will Team with Carlos Alcaraz in Doubles

Rafael Nadal will get a second crack at winning at Roland Garros this year.

Nadal was selected for the Spain's 2024 Summer Olympic tennis team and will team with French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz in doubles competition. The 38-year-old will also be competing for his second Olympic gold medal in singles.

Nadal has spent much of the last year and a half injured. He has not won a tournament since the 2022 French Open and has been open with the fact he's nearing retirement.

"In terms of what's driving me ... I'm a simple guy. I enjoy what I do," Nadal said after losing to Alexander Zverev in the first round of the 2024 French Open. "I am passionate about sport, I am passionate about competition. I like to practice, I like to play tennis. I'm in a different moment of my personal life, too, traveling with my son, wife. I am enjoying these moments that will not come back."

Alcaraz went on to defeat Zverev in the final, becoming the youngest player in tennis history to win a Grand Slam on all three surfaces. The 21-year-old will be competing in his first Olympic Games and will undoubtedly have the most star-studded pairing in the field alongside Nadal.

If Nadal is able to pull off an unlikely singles run, he could become the most decorated men's Olympian in tennis history. Great Britain's Reginald Doherty owns the record for most Olympic gold medals with three; Nadal could take his number up to four, having previously won the 2016 doubles gold with Marc Lopez.

Andy Murray is the only man to win two golds in singles competition.