Carlos Alcaraz, the number-three ranked player in the world, said he has to skip attending the Opening Ceremony with Spain in order to rest for his opening matches at the Paris Olympics.
I was very excited to be able to go to the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics today with [Spain], but tomorrow I have two games and it is advisable to rest and be ready! This begins!," Alcaraz posted on X Friday.
Alcaraz, 21, is competing in his first Olympics, and is coming off wins at Wimbledon and the French Open this year.
Alcaraz is teaming up with 22-time grand-slam champion Rafael Nadal, who has the French Open 14 times at Roland Garros.
When will Carlos Alcaraz play next?
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Nadal and Alcaraz are teammates in doubles for Spain and will face Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni of Argentina at Court Philippe Chatrier during the Saturday night session.
Nadal's singles debut will come Sunday against Marton Fucsovics of Hungary. If he wins, and Novak Djokovic wins his first-round match against Matthew Ebden on Saturday, the two rivals will face each other in the second round of what could be the final event of the 38-year-old Nadal's career. That match could take place Monday or Tuesday.
