Nadal Will Play Olympic Doubles, Singles Status Uncertain

The Olympic rings were at Rafael Nadal’s back as questions swirl around his head.

A right thigh injury has impacted Nadal’s training for this weekend’s Olympic Games at Roland Garros in Paris.

More: Alcaraz Dismisses Djokovic to Defend Wimbledon

Spanish Olympic captain David Ferrer says Nadal will definitely play doubles on Saturday with a decision regarding his singles status to come after that.

Fourteen time Roland Garros champion Nadal will join forces with reigning Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz in a Spanish Dream Team that will face the sixth-seeded Argentinean team of Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni in Saturday’s opener.

“I’m sure Rafa will be in tomorrow’s doubles because he trained well today,” Ferrer told the media. “Let’s see the feelings he has.

“Doubles requires less intensity than singles, in which you have to be very well prepared physically and in full condition. It’s not just about playing well, but also being in top shape.”

When the Olympic singles draw was conducted yesterday, blockbuster screamed from the page at the prospect of a second-round Olympic showdown vs. Grand Slam King Novak Djokovic and Kingo of Clay Nadal.

The 37-year-old Serbian superstar returns to Paris after undergoing surgery to repair a torn medial meniscus in his right knee on Wednesday, June 5th in the City of Light. Djokovic opens against Aussie Matthew Ebden on Saturday, while Nadal, if healthy enough for singles, is slated to play Marton Fucsovics in his first-round match.

Four-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, who is slated to play doubles on Court Philippe Chatrier followed by his singles opener vs. Lebanon’s Hady Habib on Court Suzanne Lenglen, will not attend Friday night’s opening ceremonies on the Seine in order to rest for his debut on Saturday.