Tennis

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, two of Spain's most celebrated tennis stars, will team up for the men's doubles event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The duo, widely regarded as the most formidable pairing in the tournament, will be aiming to secure a gold medal for their nation.Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, is no stranger to Olympic success. He has won two gold medals in singles, at the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2016 Rio Games. Alcaraz, on the other hand, will be making his Olympic debut in Paris. The 19-year-old is the reigning French Open champion and is widely considered to be the future of men's tennis.The Nadal-Alcaraz duo will face a tough challenge in the first round, as they will take on the Argentine pair of Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez. Molteni and Gonzalez are experienced doubles players who have won several ATP Tour titles.The match between Nadal and Alcaraz is scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 27, at the iconic Stade Roland Garros in Paris. The match is expected to start at 10:30 PM IST and will be telecast live on the Sports 18 Network. It will also be live streamed on the JioCinema app.Nadal and Alcaraz will be hoping to emulate the success of the legendary Spanish doubles team of Feliciano Lopez and Marc Lopez, who won the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. With their combined experience and talent, Nadal and Alcaraz have a strong chance of adding another Olympic gold to Spain's impressive tally.

The All India Tennis Association (AITA) has officially confirmed that Rohan Bopanna and N Sriram Balaji will represent India in the men's doubles event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. This decision marks a significant milestone for Indian tennis, as Bopanna and Balaji have qualified for the prestigious Games.Bopanna, a seasoned veteran with over two decades of experience, has set his sights on winning an Olympic medal in his final appearance at the Games. The 44-year-old has chosen Balaji as his partner, recognizing his exceptional court coverage and agility.The selection committee, led by former Davis Cup Captain Nandan Bal, carefully considered all options before making their decision. Yuki Bhambri, India's number two doubles player, was also in contention, but Balaji's superior mobility ultimately swayed the committee in his favor.Balachandran Manikkath, who is closely associated with Bopanna's Sports School in Bengaluru, will serve as the team's coach. Rebecca Van Orshaegen will provide physiotherapy support.The AITA expressed its excitement over the qualification of Bopanna and Balaji, stating, "Their journey to the Olympics marks a significant milestone for Indian tennis."Bopanna and Balaji will now focus on preparing for the Paris Games, aiming to make a strong impact on the world stage. Their experience and determination will be crucial as they strive to bring home an Olympic medal for India.