… when Nadal steps on to the court at Roland Garros he feels the vibe and this got him to 4-4 in the second set. But then he relaxed .. –Tennis aficionado Richard Childs

The Master and the Talented Apprentice

By Roger Childs

They had never played doubles together before, but 22-grand-slam winner Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcarez with just four, were out there representing Spain in the Olympic Games. The tennis in Paris is being played in the famous Roland Garros Stadium, where Nadal has won 14 grand slam titles, a record that is unlikely ever to be beaten.

The Spaniards were up against the very experienced Argentinian pairing of Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzales and their lack of combination showed. Could the brilliance of Alcaraz and Nadal overcome the classy double skills of the Argentines? The first set went to a tie-break which the Spanish pairing won 7-6. There were many superb rallies and excellent volleying in the match, but in the end the individual skills of Nadal and Alcaraz got them home 6-4 in the second set. There was a huge crowd regularly chanting “Rafa! Rafa!” and they thoroughly enjoyed the skills shown by both all the players.

Two of the best meet up for a record time

Then Nadal was up against Novak Djkovic in the singles – two of the three greatest players of all time with 46 grand slams between them. It was their 60th match and as with the doubles Rafa’s beloved Philippe Chatrier Court was packed. The result was never in doubt and it looked as if the Spaniard would be lucky to get a game, however after losing 1-6 in the first set and being 0-4 down in the second Nadal showed glimpses of his brilliant best.

 With great retrievals, superb placements and blistering winners he broke Djokovic’s service twice to make it 4-4. However the Serbian legend took the next two games to move into the second round. 

The huge crowd gave Rafael Nadal, The King of Clay, a standing ovation as he left the court after probably his last singles match at Roland Garros, having first played there in 2005. The aviator’s words Victory Goes to the Most Tenacious feature on the upper levels at Philippe Chatrier in both French and English. This time it was Novak Djokovic with the victory and as a commentator remarked The Serb had beaten Nadal in his own living room!