Rafael Nadal has probably played at Roland Garros for the last time, after he and his partner Carlos Alcaraz were ousted from the Olympics by a pair of American doubles specialists.
In a spectacular contest, Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek overcame not only the most successful singles player of all time on this court, but what felt like 15,000 hostile fans as well.
It wasn’t that the Americans were unpopular; simply that no-one in the stands wanted to see Nadal go out. The closer the Spaniards came to elimination, the louder they yelled. The atmosphere resembled that of a rowdy Davis Cup tie, as the fans applauded missed first serves from the American duo as if they were screaming Spanish winners.
But go out Nadal did, nevertheless, after Krajicek pulled out the grittiest of service holds to seal the 6-2, 6-4 win and claim a place in the semi-finals. The last shot – a perfect Krajicek “can-opener” serve that hit the line and kept going for a clean ace – was met with almost complete silence.
Nadal and Alcaraz had already come through two rounds but this was a different level of opponent. The Americans had the legendary Bryan brothers in their player box, and frankly one wondered whether Bob and Mike could have improved on this note-perfect display.
Krajicek and Ram broke at the earliest opportunity, targeting Alcaraz at the net as Nadal served first. They were ruthless in their returning, and their own service games were so slick that they didn’t give up a single break.
The closest that the Spanish came to breaking serve was in the final game, when the fans were kicking up a huge rumpus. It felt like Krajicek was regularly having to wait for 30 seconds or more for the noise to die down before he served, and the chair umpire was reduced to helplessness as she kept saying “Please, please, the players are ready.”
In the face of heavy pressure from all sides, the Americans slipped back to 15-40. Yet their self-belief was never jolted. Playing under the roof on Court Philippe Chatrier, and in front of a bunch of celebrities which included Irish golfers Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry, they produced a level of tennis which should make them favourites for the title.
Nadal – who suffered a chastening 6-1, 6-4 loss to old foe Novak Djokovic in the second round of the singles event – has not offered any clarity on his retirement plans. It is uncertain whether he will return to the court where he won a mind-boggling 14 French Open singles titles.
When his injuries were at their worst, some 14 months ago, Nadal suggested that his 2024 would represent a farewell tour of the world’s great tennis venues.
As things have turned out, his season has delivered a mixed bag: patches of stronger form in between further physical setbacks. In May, he told French Open organisers not to prepare a goodbye ceremony for him, explaining that he couldn’t be sure he wouldn’t come back next year.
Meanwhile, the quarter-final opponents of Andy Murray and Dan Evans have been confirmed as another American pair, after Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul beat the Dutch duo of Robin Haase and Jean-Julien Roger on Wednesday afternoon.
Nadal and Alcaraz crash out of men’s doubles, as it happened
08:05 PM BST
Did Nadal wave goodbye to the French crowd for the last time?
07:58 PM BST
Watch: The end for Nadalcaraz
07:49 PM BST
Nadal/Alcaraz* 2-6, 4-6 Krajicek/Ram
Here we go then! Can Spain prolong the match or will USA get it done? Let’s find out.
Nervy start by Krajicek as he serves a double fault on the opening point. Nadal roars and gets the crowd up. What a reaction.
Fantastic overhead smash by Ram and Alcaraz can’t get his backhand into play, 15-15. Nadal forehand and Krajicek pushes a volley wide, 15-30. That was really tight from the American. Nadal is pumped. He senses something.
Alcaraz forehand return winner, two break points. His best shot of the match and what a time for it. It is a carnival atmosphere on Chatrier right now.
Nadal forehand return wide on the first break point. Alcaraz forehand return into the net, deuce. Relief for America. They are two points away now.
Krajicek pushes another forehand volley long. Third break point chance for Spain. Can they take it? Big time serving by Krajicek and Alcaraz’s return sails long.
Sharp reaction at the net from Ram to hit a volley winner. Match point USA. Spain desperately keep themselves in the rally and Ram nets a volley. Back to deuce.
Nadal return wide, second match point. Krajicek wide ace. Alcaraz isn’t sure but the umpire comes down and says the ball was in.
GAME SET MATCH USA!
07:37 PM BST
Nadal/Alcaraz 2-6, 4-5 Krajicek*/Ram
Spain and Nadal start strongly and move to 40-15. But a Krajicek overhead smash makes it deuce.
Swinging wide serve by Nadal flies away for an ace and Spain hold to make USA serve for the match.
07:32 PM BST
Nadal*/Alcaraz 2-6, 3-5 Krajicek/Ram
Nadal gets a look at a backhand down the line but nets, 40-30. Ram has been imperious on serve today.
Alcaraz return is straight at Krajicek, who puts away the volley easily.
USA are a game away from the semi-finals.
07:26 PM BST
Nadal/Alcaraz 2-6, 3-4 Krajicek/Ram*
Alcaraz’s struggles go on and a forehand into the tramlines makes it 0-30. Unreal reactions by Nadal as Krajicek unloads on the ball but the Americans breakthrough to earn three break points.
Stunning Ram forehand return. Alcaraz thinks it is long. The umpire comes down and says the ball is in. Nadal and Alcaraz can’t believe it. They are adamant the ball was out. But the call stands and USA break.
The crowd voice their displeasure but that was some game by Team USA.
07:21 PM BST
Nadal/Alcaraz* 2-6, 3-3 Krajicek/Ram
Nadal nails a forehand return winner down the line, 0-15. A trademark shot by him and the fans are making noise in the hope of a service break.
The American continue to find their spots, knowing exactly where the space is and executing in ruthless fashion. A Nadal forehand return long and USA hold again.
07:16 PM BST
Nadal/Alcaraz 2-6, 3-2 Krajicek*/Ram
Good energy from Spain as they hold to 15 after an Alcaraz volley winner.
07:13 PM BST
Nadal*/Alcaraz 2-6, 2-2 Krajicek/Ram
Careless half volley by Ram drifts wide, 0-15. Beauty of a serve by Ram down the T is too much for Alcaraz, 15-15. Ram could not have placed that any better.
Ram continues to find his spot on serve and another serve down the T flies away from Alcaraz for an ace.
Spain don’t look like breaking serve any time soon.
07:10 PM BST
Nadal/Alcaraz 2-6, 2-1 Krajicek/Ram*
Alcaraz is leaking errors on the forehand side at the moment. You could make the argument that he’s been the worst player on court at the moment.
But fortunately for him, Nadal is alive to things at the net and Spain hold serve again.
07:05 PM BST
Nadal/Alcaraz* 2-6, 1-1 Krajicek/Ram
Krajicek serve down the T, Nadal return and Ram finishes with a clean volley winner, 30-15. Alcaraz gets a look with a forehand return but nets, 40-15. He is annoyed with himself after that miss.
And more frustration for Alcaraz as he get a forehand after a stretch volley by Krajicek.
07:01 PM BST
Second Set: Nadal/Alcaraz 2-6, 1-0 Krajicek*/Ram (*denotes next server)
Spain were on the back foot ever since Nadal was broken in the opening game. He opens the serving in this set and moves to 30-0 when Ram puts a backhand return long.
Nadal forehand down the line is too hot for Krajicek at the net, 40-15. Alcaraz gives Spain the start they needed with a deft forehand volley winner.
06:53 PM BST
Nadal*/Alcaraz 2-6 Krajicek/Ram
More aggressive volleying by USA. Nothing spectacular but it is clinical and ruthless from them at the net.
However, an unforced error by Ram on a backhand volley makes it 30-30. Can Spain earn themselves a break point?
Yes they can. Nadal hits a mis-hit return, Krajicek leaves it thinking the ball is going long but the ball drops on the baseline.
Impressive from Krajicek at the net and USA save the break point, deuce.
Nadal and Alcaraz take turns to fire forehands at the Americans at the net but they can’t break through and Alcaraz frames a forehand wide, set point.
Alcaraz backhand long and USA take the first set. Work to do for Nadalcaraz.
06:46 PM BST
Nadal/Alcaraz 2-5 Krajicek/Ram*
Problems for Spain here as Nadal nets a volley, 0-30. He cries out in frustration at that miss.
Brave second serve by Alcaraz and he’s rewarded when Krajicek nets a backhand return, 15-30. Alcaraz top spin second server, Ram tries to run around it but gets his return all wrong, 30-30.
Loose forehand by Alcaraz drifts wide, break point USA. Alcaraz forehand cross court, Krajicek is there but frames the volley wide. Deuce and relief for Spain.
Alcaraz double fault, break point USA. His bold approach on second serves doesn’t work on that occasion.
Oh wow. Another Alcaraz double fault as he tries to hit a heavy top spin serve to Ram’s backhand.
USA to serve for the set next.
06:37 PM BST
Nadal/Alcaraz* 2-4 Krajicek/Ram
Really impressive serving from the Americans so far in the match. Not really giving Spain a sniff of a break chance.
Quick hands at the net by Krajicek allows him to win another exchange at the net against Nadal, 40-15. Alcaraz tries to go big with a forehand return but gets it wrong and the ball sails long.
06:31 PM BST
Nadal/Alcaraz 2-3 Krajicek*/Ram
This match will be won at the baseline. If Spain can keep USA away from the net, where they are strong, they can get back into this.
Nadal and Alcaraz have too much power and quality from the baseline. Krajicek and Ram are better at the net.
Krajicek forehand long and USA hold.
06:28 PM BST
Nadal*/Alcaraz 1-3 Krajicek/Ram
The crowd unsurprisingly are overwhelmingly on the side of Spain and they are happy when Alcaraz flattens out a backhand return winner down the line, 15-15.
Shake of the fist from Krajicek as he finishes cleanly with an overhead smash. USA then say to Nadal and Alcaraz ‘beat us at the net’ but the latter nets, 40-15.
Spain pull it back to deuce as Alcaraz gets to Ram volley easily, puts a backhand down the middle which Ram can’t get back into play.
Alcaraz return long and USA maintain their lead.
06:22 PM BST
Nadal/Alcaraz 1-2 Krajicek/Ram*
Alcaraz jams a serve into the body for Krajicek, who nets a forehand return, 30-15. Ram then goes at Nadal, who hits the ground when he fails to react quickly enough to the return, 30-30.
It seems like USA has decided to attack the net player for Spain at every opportunity. But Spain get up and running when Nadal puts away an easy overhead smash for a winner.
06:18 PM BST
Nadal/Alcaraz* 0-2 Krajicek/Ram
Miscommunication by Nadal and Alcaraz as Krajicek goes down the middle with a smash and the Spaniard both go for the ball but neither gets a racket on it, 30-0.
Ram volley winner and USA consolidate the break. Great serving by Krajicek.
06:16 PM BST
First Set: Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz 0-1 Austin Krajicek* and Rajeev Ram (*denotes next server)
This match won’t easy for Spain. USA’s Ram is so sharp and lethal at the net.
Nadal serves first for Spain and falls to 15-30 after the American prove too strong at the net and Krajicek finishes with a volley winner.
Alcaraz attempts a very difficult volley but nets. Two break points for USA.
Nadal saves the first with an ace. But not the second. Ram targets Alcaraz, who is standing at the net. The Spaniard shows quick reactions on the first volley but another big forehand by Ram proves too much for Alcaraz.\
USA break.
06:06 PM BST
Here we go!
Nadal and Alcaraz come out to a huge reception on Philippe Chatrier followed by Krajicek and Ram.
Annoyingly, all four players are wearing red shirts. They really should be wearing different colours.
USA win the coin toss and opt to receive serve first. Bold choice.
05:58 PM BST
Alcaraz the learner
Despite having four grand slam titles in singles, the 21-year-old doesn’t have much doubles experience.
In fact, his last doubles match came in 2022.
05:53 PM BST
Can the USA cause a major upset
05:37 PM BST
The Nadalcaraz show hits Paris again
Hello and welcome to the latest instalment of the Nadalcaraz show in Paris.
Spanish duo Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz are in action against American’s Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram.
Nadal and Alcaraz booked their place in the quarter-finals after ought off Netherlands’ Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof to claim a 6-4, 6-7(2), [10-2] victory.
“Our goal to try to get a medal is closer. So I’m really, really happy about it and let’s see,” said Alcaraz. “We are going to keep working. We are going to keep improving our doubles game and it’s going to be better in the quarter-final.
“It’s a dream come true for me, playing on the same side of the net with Rafa, learning from him. It is unbelievable. … I’m trying to enjoy my time with him.”
“Well, we had fun because the score was positive in the tiebreak,” Nadal added. “We have been suffering but of course we are enjoying playing together.
“We are creating good synergies with good energy, so we are having fun in general. I think we have a positive relationship outside of the court that helps inside.
“We are happy we’re in quarter-finals, closer to the goal and let’s keep being focused. Wednesday is another important day.”
Krajicek and Ram beat Thiago Monteiro and Thiago Seyboth Wild of Brazil 6-4, 7-6 (3) on Tuesday and have the doubles experience to cause trouble for Spain.
“Looking forward to it a lot,” Ram said. “Playing these two guys … is incredible. But we’re both also determined and motivated to go out there and play our best tennis.”
Alcaraz has already been in action today. The French Open and Wimbledon champion became the youngest man since Novak Djokovic at Beijing 2008 to reach the last eight, beating Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-2.
