Nadal urges Alcaraz to treasure Olympic medal despite Djokovic heartbreak

By Sports Desk August 04, 2024

Rafael Nadal urged Carlos Alcaraz to reflect on his success and treasure his Olympic silver medal, despite a gut-wrenching defeat to Novak Djokovic on Sunday.

Djokovic overcame Alcaraz 7-6 (7-3) 7-6 (7-2) at Roland-Garros, securing the top prize at the Games on the clay courts in Paris.

The 21-year-old, who was denied the Olympic title to go with this year's French Open and Wimbledon crowns, was reduced to tears at the conclusion in the French capital.

Yet Nadal, who Alcaraz partnered in the men's doubles competition at the Olympics this year, says his fellow Spaniard will soon understand the feats of his achievement.

"Carlos, although I know that today is a difficult day, value a medal that is very important for the entire country and you will see, over time, that it is for you too," Nadal wrote on social media platform X.

"Thank you for this incredible week and for the medal that you [gave] to Spanish sport."

Djokovic is only the second player in the Open Era to win all four grand slams, the gold medal at the Olympics and the ATP Tour Finals, along with Andre Agassi.

At 37 years and 74 days, the Serbian is also the oldest player to secure gold in either the men's or women's singles at the Olympics, since the sport returned as an event at the 1988 Games.

This victory also somewhat exacted revenge after losing out to Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final last month, while sealing a long-awaited dream of gold at his fifth Games for Serbia.

Related items

  • Raducanu roars through to Korea Open quarter-finals Raducanu roars through to Korea Open quarter-finals

    Emma Raducanu booked her place in the Korea Open quarter-finals with a straight-sets victory over Yue Yuan.

    The former US Open champion wrapped up a 6-4 6-3 win in just over two hours in Seoul, where she will play either top seed Daria Kasatkina or Hailey Baptiste.

    Yue, who was runner-up in this event 12 months ago, recovered an early break to hold a slender 4-3 lead in the opening set.

    However, Raducanu took control with a run of six successive games to draw first blood, before taking control of the second set with a double-break for 3-0.

    Yue fought back to 3-2, but saw a break point go begging in the following game as the Briton eventually held to remain in command. 

    Raducanu had to be patient as her opponent saved five match points to break in game eight, but the world number 70 eventually converted her seventh for victory.

    Data Debrief: Raducanu roars into last eight

    Raducanu has spoken of how she intends to "thrive in Asia" and she is in a good position to do that after reaching her fifth quarter-final of 2024.

    The Briton certainly dominated on the serving front as she hammered 11 aces without reply, while also converting six out of nine break points.

  • Raducanu fights through tough Stearns test to progress in Seoul Raducanu fights through tough Stearns test to progress in Seoul

    Emma Raducanu dug deep to grind out a marathon straight-sets victory over Peyton Stearns to progress at the Korea Open on Tuesday.

    The Brit, who reached the semi-finals in 2022, needed two tie-breaks to win, holding off Stearns 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) in two hours and 46 minutes.

    The play was delayed for 45 minutes due to excessive heat before the pair traded breaks in the opening three games, with Raducanu at one point holding a 4-1 lead before Stearns fought back to force the first tie-break.

    Raducanu prevailed but was put straight back under pressure in a lengthy opening game of the second set, saving break point three times to get off the mark.

    There was little to separate the two throughout though, as they continued to trade breaks before the 2021 US Open champion found her edge again to take the tie-break.

    She will face last year's Korea Open runner-up Yuan Yue in the next round. 

    Data Debrief: Going the distance

    Raducanu was playing her first match since being knocked out of the US Open, and she was certainly made to work for the victory.

    It featured a combined tally of 28 break points and 12 breaks of serve, with eight of those coming in a topsy-turvy first set.

    Raducanu successfully saved nine of 15 break points compared to seven of 13 for Stearns.

  • Raducanu named in Great Britain team for Billie Jean King Cup Raducanu named in Great Britain team for Billie Jean King Cup

    Emma Raducanu has been named in Great Britain's team for the Billie Jean King Cup finals.

    The 2021 US Open winner will be joined by Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart, Heather Watson and Olivia Nicholls for the event in Malaga.

    Britain defeated France in April to qualify for the knockout stage, with four of the aforementioned five - Watson the exception - taking part.

    Captain Anne Keothavong named her five-member team on Monday ahead of the showpiece, which runs from November 13 to 20.

    "We are really looking forward to the finals in Malaga after qualifying following our fantastic weekend in France in April," Keothavong said.

    "Our team have created excellent memories and put in outstanding performances in this competition in recent years.

    "We will relish the opportunity. There is still a lot of tennis to be played, and changes can be made up until the day before our first match."

    All 12 teams announced their line-ups on Monday, with Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff notable names not included for Poland and the United States respectively.

    World number one Swiatek and world number six Gauff feel they are unable to compete due to a quick turnaround in events to end the year.

    US Open semi-finalist Emma Navarro is also out of the USA squad.

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.