Rafael Nadal’s doubles dream team with his fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz is one of the most eagerly anticipated moments of this summer’s Olympic Games, but there are real fears that it may never happen on the eve of Paris 2024.

After Nadal cancelled his latest practice sessions in Paris, his coach Carlos Moya confirmed he had suffered an injury setback that could put his hopes of playing in Paris in doubt as he struggles with a thigh problem.

“It was a setback and we decided that today Rafa would rest and not train to recover,” confirmed Moya. “We are going to give ourselves 48 hours, we have to wait.

“I can’t assure you Nadal will play. The most responsible thing right now with an event of this magnitude is not to force it.

“Moya’s confirmation that Nadal’s participation at the Olympics is in doubt will be a hammer blow to his fans, as they were hoping to see him in Olympics action for one last time.”

That excitement around Nadal’s participation was lifted when the singles draw threw up the enticing prospect of a second round match against his old rival Novak Djokovic.

News that Nadal was struggling with an injury inspired a predictable response from some Djokovic fans, as they suggested the Spaniard was getting his excuses in early before a potential clash with Djokovic.

The stories revealing Nadal’s injury on X were loaded with comments from Djokovic supporters sniping at Nadal, but the wider tennis community will be hoping we get a chance to see Djokovic vs Nadal for one last time on an Olympic stage.

“It would be exciting to play against Nadal in the second round,” said Djokovic, as he looked forward to a clash with Nadal.

He was also asked whether he was close to retirement with Andy Murray set to quit at the Olympics and Nadal admitting his career may also end soon.

“I am aware that an era with Nadal and Murray’s retirements after the Games is ending,” said Djokovic.

“I think my career is also coming to an end, but I believe there are and there will be tennis players who can carry the weight of being the best.

“I feel more ready than I was before Wimbledon. I had many opportunities to win gold and now I have to start taking advantage of them. The fact that I am not a favorite for bookmakers is just a motivation for me. The Olympic Games have always been a great challenge for me.

“I focused all my preparation on this tournament. I think I will immediately adapt to the conditions of Roland Garros since we played there two months ago.”

Nadal and Alcaraz are due to take on Argentinian duo Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni in the first round of the doubles, but the tennis world will now wait to see if the 22-time Grand Slam champion is fit to play.