Rafa Nadal said it would be exciting to partner fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Olympics this year and the 22-time singles Grand Slam champion hoped they can enter some doubles tournament in the build-up to the Games.

Singles world No.3 Alcaraz said previously he would like to play at the Olympics alongside his 37-year-old idol, who expects to bring the curtains down on his glittering but injury-plagued career this year.

At the Madrid Open where the duo are competing this week, the 20-year-old admitted to being somewhat nervous about initiating the discussion but Nadal put him at ease.

"Carlos doesn't have to ask me anything, all things being well, we'll play," Nadal said during a podcast. "It's also hugely exciting for me. If I'm not mistaken, I've heard it is for him too.

"So it would be great to play the odd tournament before the Olympics to prepare ourselves and to get some rapport on court."

While twice Grand Slam champion Alcaraz is set to make his Olympics debut in the July 26-August 11 Games, Nadal will be eyeing his third gold medal after triumphing in singles at the 2008 Beijing Games and doubles eight years later in Rio.

But Nadal has had a torrid time with injury in recent years, missing nearly all of 2023 with a hip issue which needed surgery.

He returned to competition in Brisbane in January but was out for another stretch due to a thigh issue, only coming back in Barcelona last week before casting doubts over his French Open participation next month.

The tennis competition at the Paris Games will take place on clay at Roland Garros, where Nadal has won 14 major titles.

"I think if we're both fit enough, why not? We could have the chance to form a great team and aspire to great things," Nadal said of the partnership.

"It would be good for both of us. It would also be good for the Spanish team, so we'll see how things progress."

Alcaraz acknowledged the immense impact Nadal has had on the sport while expressing his admiration for him. "I don't want to imagine it yet. Like any Rafa fan, like any tennis fan, no one wants to imagine the tour without Rafa," said the 20-year-old.

Alcaraz further expressed his desire to cherish every moment Nadal steps on the court, recognising the champion's unwavering dedication to the sport. "Personally, I want to make the most of Rafa, every time he steps on the court, whenever he can play."

The young prodigy also acknowledged Nadal's relentless work ethic. "I know that's what he wants, that's what he craves, and that he works for it day in, day out to feel competitive, to be able to go out on the court and try to win."