Rafael Nadal has hit out at the “outrageous” schedule ahead of his opening singles match at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Spanish icon was in action on Saturday as he and Carlos Alcaraz beat the Argentine sixth seeds Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez 7-6(4), 6-4 in their first-round doubles clash.

And following his appearance on the Court Phillipe Chatrier, the 38-year-old is due to play again today against Hungarian Marton Fucsovics.

That clash is scheduled for 2pm, but Nadal has now threatened to withdraw from the individual tournament, seemingly livid at the lack of rest time between matches.

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The Spanish pairing didn’t seal their win until gone 10pm in Paris, and in his pre-match press conference afterwards Nadal said: “A 2pm game? I don’t understand the schedule. It seems outrageous to me when I’m playing at 2pm.”

The 22-time Grand Slam winner revealed he planned to hold talks with management before making a decision on whether to fulfil the match, having suffered an injury scare on the eve of the Olympics. “I don’t know if I’ll play tomorrow,” he added.

“I’ll have to go back to the village and talk to the team, I’ll make the decision that I think is most appropriate to have a chance of getting results for Spain. Sometimes less is more.”

Nadal’s participation at Roland Garros was thrown into doubt on Thursday, after he cancelled a scheduled practice session with Alexander Zverev. He was reportedly seen with a bandage on his thigh, prompting fears he would withdraw from the Games.

Regardless of his eventual decision for the singles, Nadal and Alcaraz will now face either Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof (Netherlands), or Fucsovics and Fabian Marozsan. And despite his anger, the veteran did declare himself happy with their display.

“The match was of the highest level,” he added. “I think we played well and in the decisive moments we played with the right determination.

“The match was of the highest level, the rivals were a very consolidated pair, one of the best in the world. It was a difficult match, we enjoyed it but also suffered at times.”

Nadal skipped Wimbleon in order to help ensure he was fully fit for Paris. He’s already confirmed the tournament will represent his last summer Games, as he bids to add to the gold medal he won in Beijing in 2008.