Carlos Alcaraz should feel proud of his silver medal from his first Olympics rather than disappointed. The young Spaniard won silver after an outstanding performance by Novak Djokovic in the final. Alcaraz was emotional, shedding tears during an interview with Eurosport shortly after his defeat, reflecting his desire to bring home a historic gold for Spain. Nevertheless, Alcaraz has reasons to be proud, especially having played doubles with his idol, Rafael Nadal, in what could be the legendary 22-time Slam champion’s last Olympics.
Alcaraz later recognized the significance of his achievement, embracing the moment on the podium. “I already appreciate the silver medal a lot because I know how difficult it is and I’m enjoying the moment. Now I feel good and I enjoy wearing it. Of course, when I left the court it was difficult for me because I have a strong ambition. But you have to put everything into perspective, think about how complicated it is to win an Olympic medal. During the award ceremony, on the podium, I said to myself: You have to appreciate this moment; you don’t know if it will happen again,” Alcaraz told Eurosport.
Looking ahead, he hopes to compete in Los Angeles 2028. “The Olympic Games are one of the most special competitions there is. Representing your country at the Olympics is one of the most beautiful things about sport in general. For me, it was really exciting to compete and try to bring joy to all the Spanish people,” he said.
Reflecting on his doubles experience with Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz added, “There were moments when I had goosebumps during the matches with him. It’s something I will always remember and that will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
