The “Nadalcaraz” dream is over.
Spanish tennis stars Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcarez fell to Americans Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in straight sets (6-2, 6-4) in the men’s tennis doubles quarterfinals at the 2024 Paris Games.
Nadal – known as the “King of Clay” for his 14 titles at the French Open – and Alcaraz – the reigning French Open champion – seemed a formidable pair in this year’s Olympics doubles tournament. Though neither player has the same prowess in doubles as he does in singles, Nadal won the gold in the doubles tournament at the 2016 Rio Games, and the duo had taken care of business in their first two matches.
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Where the Spaniards were lacking in experience, the Americans slot into the opposite end of the spectrum. Krajicek and Ram are each former world No. 1 players in doubles tennis, and they each looked the part in the win over Nadal and Alcaraz.
The Americans, who finished fourth in the 2020 Tokyo Games, advance to the semifinals once again for another shot at reaching the gold medal match.
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Social media reacts to Nadal/Alcaraz loss to Americans
Es el peor día para el deporte español que recuerdo en tiempo. No me puedo creer lo de Rafa Nadal y Carlos Alcaraz. Drama total y absoluto. Estoy hundido. pic.twitter.com/XJKXmcEDOY
— Albert Ortega (@AlbertOrtegaES1) July 31, 2024
This user wrote: “This is the worst day for Spanish sport that I remember. I can’t believe what happened to Rafa Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz. Total and absolute drama. I feel sunken.”
Rafa Nadal & Carlos Alcaraz’ Olympics doubles run comes to an end.
But watching them compete together this week was so special.
With his legendary fighting spirit & his humility, Rafa has changed the modern game of tennis as we know it.
Carlos is breathing new excitement… pic.twitter.com/nySQ1p0Lrn
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 31, 2024
Si no ocurre nada raro, es la última vez que vamos a ver a Nadal y Alcaraz juntos jugando en dobles.
Afortunado de haber estado vivo para verlo, pero el desenlace ha sido terrorífico. Estoy más que hundido. pic.twitter.com/Y1rL6Fcaxw
— Adrián. (@AdrianMCF) July 31, 2024
Translated: “Unless something crazy happens, this is the last time that we’re going to see Nadal and Alcaraz together in doubles. I’m fortunate to have been alive to see it, but the outcome was horrific. I feel more than sunken.”
I’ve never heard a tennis crowd like the one at Roland Garros every time Nadal and Alcaraz win a point to keep them in this match. It’s like a wrestling crowd.
— Sarah Parkin (@SarahParkin1) July 31, 2024
Inolvidables estos dobles entre Rafa y Carlos. Duele muchísimo esta derrota. Creo que no soy el único que habría cambiado todas las medallas que se consigan en estos JJ.OO. por un oro de Nadal y Alcaraz. Semana para el recuerdo… ♥️ 💛 pic.twitter.com/ed0Z9PQaJt
— Iñaki María Avial ⚽ (@mariaavial) July 31, 2024
This user said: “These doubles with Rafa and Carlos were unforgettable. This defeat really hurts. I don’t believe I’m the only one that would have traded all the medals won in these Olympic Games for a gold for Nadal and Alcaraz. A week to remember…”
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nadal and Alcaraz’s Olympics loss to Americans shocked the world
