Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz’s pursuit of Olympic gold in men’s doubles has come to a disappointing end as they were defeated by the American pair Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The Spanish duo entered the match with high expectations, but faced immediate challenges from their opponents. In the first set, Nadal and Alcaraz struggled to find their rhythm, losing their serve in the opening game. Ram and Krajicek capitalized on this, breaking serve again to secure a decisive 6-2 win in the opening set.
Despite a more determined effort in the second set, Nadal and Alcaraz could not overcome the consistent play of their American counterparts. Ram and Krajicek maintained their focus, not allowing a single break point and converting one of their own to win the second set 6-4, clinching the match with a 2-0 victory.
Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek, both seasoned doubles specialists with numerous titles to their names, showcased their experience and skill. In contrast, Nadal and Alcaraz, who were pairing for the first time in a major tournament, struggled to find their best form.
Match Statistics:
Nadal/Alcaraz: 2-6, 4-6
Ram/Krajicek:
- Aces: 3
- Double Faults: 1
- First Serve Percentage: 70%
- First Serve Points Won: 76%
- Second Serve Points Won: 50%
- Break Points Saved: 0/4
- Break Points Converted: 3/5
- Total Points Won: 66/117
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lF1WKI0bqE
Nadal and Alcaraz’s elimination marks a significant blow to Spain’s tennis hopes at these Olympics. The defeat is particularly poignant as both players had high hopes of securing their first Olympic gold together. The American duo now advances to the semifinals, keeping their gold medal aspirations alive.
