Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles: Thank you

That’s a wrap for today, folks. Yet more Rafa and Carlos magnificence will come our way in Paris Olympics 2024, and we will be there to cover it all the way. Do join us next time. 

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: More of Nadal

With Nadal’s retirement announcement delayed to after the Olympics, fans will hope to cherish every moment that the 22-time Grand Slam winner steps onto the court.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Who next?

Nadal and Alcaraz will now play the quarterfinals at Paris 2024, where they will face either the Brazilian pair of Thiago Monteiro/Thiago Seyboth Wild, or the American duo of Austin Krajicek/Rajeev Ram.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Commiserations to Netherlands

A word of appreciation for the Dutch duo of Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof, who took Nadal and Alcaraz right down to the wire. They were excellent in the second set, and convincingly won the first tiebreaker. Worthy opponents in the end.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Nadal/Alcaraz Win! 10-2 in super tiebreak

Nadal and Alcaraz had their nervous moments, they were given a great fight, but the star Spanish duo have shone when the lights were brightest and have come through with a dramatic super tiebreaker win.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: 7-1 lead for Spain

Spain are just three points away from victory. They have turned the tables on the Netherlands in the super tiebreak, and Nadal and Alcaraz have kept their composure at the final stages.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Spain dominating the super tiebreak!

Nadal and Alcaraz soar to a 5-0 lead in the super tiebreak, which will decide the game!

Remember, first to 10 points wins the tie! There is no third set.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Nadal’s Olympics career at risk

If Spain lose the super tiebreak, we may be witnessing Nadal’s final moments in the Olympics, if not as a professional tennis player altogether.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Netherlands are back in the game!

Fabulous from the Netherlands. They have pushed the star duo of Nadal and Alcaraz against the wall, and clinch the tiebreaker 7-2. The match is level at one set each. It’s all down to the super tiebreak.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Tiebreaker: NED 5-2 ESP

Alcaraz and Nadal trail in the tiebreaker as it stands, and it has been some stunning tennis from the Dutch. Wesley Koolhof has been phenomenal in the tiebreaker.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Wesley Koolhof, take a bow!

Nadal with a clever chip over the head of Koolhof, but the Dutchman maintains precision and sends an inch-perfect return beyond Nadal. Netherlands up 4-1 in the tiebreaker.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Netherlands lead in tiebreaker

Netherlands get a crucial point off a Spain serve, and lead 2-1 in the second set tiebreaker. Fascinating!

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: We are going to a tiebreaker!

It’s 6-6 in the second set! Nadal and Alcaraz comfortably win the game, and it’s crunch times in the Paris Olympics men’s doubles second round.

Fair play to Griekspoor and Koolhof for putting up a resilient fight.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Netherlands survive again!

A roar from Wesley Koolhof as the Netherlands survive another break point and come back to win the game. They lead 6-5, and can draw the match to even terms by breaking Alcaraz in the next game. Superb show of grit from the Dutch duo.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: We are even again! 5-5

Alcaraz showing excellent skill near the net. He was instrumental in that game, and Nadal holds serve. 5-5 now!

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Netherlands hold firm, lead 5-4

Spain had two break points, but Griekspoor ended the game with some mighty serves to bring it to deuce and then deliver the game win. Netherlands lead 5-4. If Nadal’s serve is broken in the next game, Netherlands will tie the match at one set each.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Spain level, 4-4

Immense pressure put on Alcaraz and Nadal for the first time today, but Spain save two break points, and then go on to win the game. 4-4! This set seems to be going down to the wire.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Netherlands not making it easy

Despite the star-studded opposition, the underdog Netherlands pair are proving to be a stern challenge for Nadal and Alcaraz. They have not let the game get away from them.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Netherlands stay alive

Once again the Netherlands keep their composure, and shake off some nervous moments to take the game. 4-3 now, they’re very much in it!

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Spain make it 3-3

The Dutch pair brought it close in that game, but Nadal and Alcaraz win it in the end. And they look pumped!

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Netherlands survive scare

The Dutch were down 0-30 at the start of the game, but fought back to win the game and hold serve. They lead 3-2 now, with Spain to serve next. 

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Nadal coming to the net

No matter who serves, Rafa is emerging near the net more often, while Alcaraz drives from the baseline. That has been the winning formula for Spain so far.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Spain make it 2-2

Dominant serve and Spain make it 2-2 in the second set. Once again, the Spanish duo not being contested too much in their service.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: More vigour from Netherlands

Excellent serve by Wesley Koolhof, the Netherlands take a comfortable game. 2-1 up against Nadal and Alcaraz in the second set. Alcaraz to serve next.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Dominant from Spain

Spain steamroll through their first serve in the second set, winning the game without dropping a point. 1-1.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Netherlands lead 1-0 in second set

Comfortable, confidence-building start once again to the set by the Dutch pair. They take the first game of the second set.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: We are back

The second set starts. Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor starts the serve once again. Can Netherlands pull off an upset from here?

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Heartwarming moment

As we wait for the second set to get underway, here’s a wholesome moment between Rafael Nadal and his little son before the match.

Baby Rafa giving Rafa Nadal a big hug ahead of his doubles match with Carlos Alcaraz.

Dad’s biggest supporter.

pic.twitter.com/Mmd58kH3OO

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 30, 2024

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Nadal/Alcaraz win first set! 6-4

Alcaraz holds serve, Spain take the first set 6-4. The crucial break came in the seventh game. Nadal and Alcaraz have definitely been the better pair so far, taking the Netherlands close whenever they’re facing and closing out their own serves comfortably.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Netherlands stay alive

Some good serves by Griekspoor to end the game. Netherlands stay alive, with Spain holding a 5-4 lead. 

Spain will now serve for the first set win.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Superb stuff

Supreme from Alcaraz and Nadal, toe-to-toe against the Dutch in terms of pace and power, and then outwitting them. 15-15. Can this be the game they take the set?

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Spain on the verge of first set win

Nadal and Alcaraz save a Dutch break point, and hold their nerve to take the eighth game. They lead 5-3 now, and near victory in the first set.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Nadal/Alcaraz break!

It has been coming! Once again, the star Spanish duo take the Dutch pair to deuce. They prevent a game point, and then proceed to strike themselves. Alcaraz dominant from the baseline, and hammers the winning shot. 4-3, in favour of Spain.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz to the party!

Alcaraz with a sensational return, past the reach of Griekspoor at the net and away for a point. Majestic from the four-time Grand Slam winner.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Spain make it 3-3 in the first set

Spain’s are wrapping up their serves quicker than the Netherlands, and seem slightly more in control of the game. 3-3 now.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Superb from Rafa!

Nadal shows excellent improvisation and presence of mind near the net, ducking down and diverting the Dutch return. He’s still got it.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Netherlands keep marching on

The Netherlands hold their serve and hold their nerve. They now lead 3-2. Once again, Nadal and Alcaraz take the game to deuce, but the Dutch show composure to win the game.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Spain fight back, 2-2

Nadal and Alcaraz do well to close out a comfortable game. Spain back level at 2-2, but the unfancied Dutch pair of Griekspoor and Koolhof not being pushovers.

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Nadal serves

Right then, Rafael Nadal gears up his majestic left-hand serve. 22 Grand Slams behind that serve!

Olympics, Nadal-Alcaraz Men’s Doubles LIVE: Netherlands hold nerve, lead 2-1

A long third game ends with Netherlands winning it. Spain had two break point opportunities, but failed to convert. The Dutch proving to be a match for the star Spain duo so far.