Carlos Alcaraz appears to be on course for another showdown with Novak Djokovic at the Olympic Games, but he might have to beat an injury problem before he sets his sights on a gold medal.

Alcaraz overcame the challenge of dangerous opponent Tallon Griekspoor 6-1, 7-6(3) to reach the last 16 of the Olympic Games, but it was the injury break he took in the second set that was the topic of conversation after the match.

The reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion needed to leave the court to have treatment on his right leg late in the second set and then came within a point of losing that set.

Yet when asked about the injury problem by the media, he did his best to play down the significance as he said: “The leg isn’t a problem, it’s a tennis player’s life, it’s just a niggle.”

He also confirmed he expects to be fit to play with Rafael Nadal in their next doubles match on Tuesday, with the hectic schedule for Alcaraz certain to test any physical issues he may be battling.

“I was very happy to get through in two sets. I played much better in the first set than I did in the second,” he added. “He raised his level and it was much closer.”

All eyes will now switch to Alcaraz resuming his doubles ‘dream team’ combination with compatriot Nadal, who appeared to come through his singles defeat against Novak Djokovic without any additional injury concerns.

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Surprisingly, tournament organisers have put the next stage of the ‘Nadalcaraz’ show on Court Suzanne Lenglen, where Alcaraz will take on Griekspoor once again, who will be playing with his Dutch partner and double expert Wesley Koolhof, in what looks set to be a challenging doubles match.

The decision to put Nadal on the second court at Roland Garros means his 6-1, 6-4 defeat against Djokovic may have been his last on Court Phillippe Chatrier, where he has won a remarkable 14 French Open titles.

“If that’s the last match here, I’ll be in peace. I did my best and I can’t complain anymore,” said Nadal on the prospect of playing his last match on the main show court at Roland Garros.

“I am trying to do my best. I cannot live every single day with the feeling that it’s going to be or not going to be my last match.

“I have been suffering a lot of injuries the last two years. So, if I feel that I am not competitive enough to keep going, or physically I’m not ready to keep going, I will stop and I will let you know.

“I like what I do and of course, I’m going to miss the adrenaline of playing but I cannot complain.

“I have been playing in all these courts for 20 years, fighting for the most important things. I achieved much more than I dreamed of.”

Nadal will still be pushing to end his remarkable career at Roland Garros with a medal alongside Alcaraz over the next few days and unless he gets a reaction to his leg injury overnight, the most talked about doubles team in tennis will be back in action on Tuesday.