Rafael Nadal Set To Dump Novak Djokovic Clash To Focus On Olympic Dream With Carlos Alcaraz

Rafael Nadal was poised to pull the plug on the chance of a highly anticipated Olympic showdown with Novak Djokovic on Saturday after making the second round of the doubles with Spanish compatriot Carlos Alcaraz. The 38-year-old effectively ruled himself out of the singles tournament as he battles a thigh injury picked up in training at Roland Garros, the scene of 14 of his 22 Grand Slam triumphs. Nadal is still listed to face Hungary's Marton Fucsovics on Sunday, with Djokovic lying in wait.

The Serbian world number two completed his part of the bargain earlier Saturday with a straight-sets demolition of Australia's Matthew Ebden.

"I don't know what's going to happen, I don't know if I am going to play tomorrow or not," said Nadal, a singles gold medallist in 2008 and doubles champion eight years later in Rio.

"I will talk to my people and make the smartest decision that I can to have the best chance of bringing a medal home, so let's see."

Nadal, whose career has been plagued by injuries, is playing in only his seventh tournament of the year. His singles ranking has plummeted to 161.

On Saturday, Nadal and Alcaraz, playing together for the first time, defeated Argentina's Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 in their doubles opener.

Alcaraz had earlier enjoyed a winning start to his Olympic Games career when he swept aside Lebanon's Hady Habib, the world number 275, in just 70 minutes winning 6-3, 6-1.

"It was an incredible experience, the energy of the crowd was crazy," said third-ranked Alcaraz, who won the French Open on the same court last month.

Djokovic, chasing a first Olympic gold to add to his 24 Grand Slams, brushed aside Australia's Matthew Ebden 6-0, 6-1 in just 53 minutes under the roof of