▲ In the stands, chants and nostalgia accompanied the Spaniard’s farewell. Photo Afp
From the editorial staff
The newspaper La Jornada
Thursday, August 1, 2024, p. a10
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz embraced after Americans Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram defeated them 6-2, 6-4 in the quarter-finals of the doubles tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. A display of affection that brought an era to a close.
At 38 years of age, Nadal, a Spanish legend of the sport, said goodbye to the summer games after winning the singles gold in Beijing 2008 and the doubles gold in Rio de Janeiro 2016. He did so on the Philipe Cartier court, where he also won 14 titles at Roland Garros.
For Rafa there will be no other Olympic village or another opening parade where he will be the protagonist. The champion of 22 tournaments Grand Slam gave in to the passage of time and handed over the baton to his heir, Carlos Alcaraz.
This defeat does not affect anything. In the end my future as a professional depends on the desire and the feeling that I have when I have to make the decision. For me, a stage has ended, said Nadal at the end of the match, who a few days ago fell in the second round of the tournament singles ante Novak Djokovic.
Chants and nostalgia emerged from the stands in the last game of the match, in an effort to avoid what finally happened: the farewell of a great team.
This cycle is over. I’m going to go home, disconnect and cool off, when I’m clear about what my next step is, whether with a racket in my hand or without, I’ll let you know, he added.
The Spaniard made his debut at the 2004 Athens Games; he was 18 years old and did so in the doubles category together with Carlos Moyá, his current coach, with whom he was unable to get past the first round. In Beijing he beat Chilean Fernando González for gold. Four years later an injury kept him out of London 2012. He won the doubles title in Rio with Marc López.
▲ In the women’s category, Iga Swiatek, world number one, continues on her way to medals. Photo Afp
The Manacor legend has woven a love story with the City of Light, an idyll that began in 2005. Paris has danced to the rhythm of his racket and has grown accustomed to his triumphs, defeats and even his absences.
At the end of his match, Rafa simply walked to the centre of the court, raised his arms and waved a hand in farewell. Amid the applause of the public, the same one that has accompanied him in recent years, he said goodbye without knowing if it was a farewell or a see you soon. On that, for now, there is silence.
Meanwhile, reigning Olympic champion Alexander Zverev continues to defend his gold medal. The German defeated Australian Alexei Popyrin 7-5, 6-3 to seal his place in the quarter-finals.
The 27-year-old is close to emulating Scotland’s Andy Murray as the only player to repeat consecutive gold medals at the Summer Games.
Djokovic also advanced to the same stage and became the first male player in history to reach the last eight in four different editions. The Belgrade native first reached that stage 16 years ago in Beijing, in his Olympic debut.
In the women’s event, world number one Iga Swiatek, China’s Zhen Qinwen, Slovenia’s Anna Schmiedlova and Croatia’s Donna Vekic advanced to the semi-finals.
With information from AFP and AP
2024-08-01 10:38:42
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