On the legendary clay of Roland Garros, the phrase “Victory belongs to the most tenacious” was brought to life in an electrifying doubles match that left fans on the edge of their seats. While Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz are often celebrated for their dominance in singles, it was the American duo of Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek, who stole the spotlight with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over the Spanish pair in the Paris 2024 men’s doubles quarter-finals.
Nadal and Alcaraz, renowned for their clay-court prowess, faced a formidable challenge against the seasoned Americans. Ram and Krajicek displayed impeccable teamwork and strategy, taking the first set 6-2 with relative ease as Alcaraz struggled with unforced errors.
The second set, however, was a different story. With the crowd passionately cheering, especially for Nadal, the atmosphere grew intense. Every forehand winner from Nadal elicited a chorus of “Ole, ole, ole… Rafa, Rafa…” as fans hoped to witness another of his legendary comebacks.
As the match reached its climax, the final game stretched over ten minutes, encapsulating the drama and skill that define tennis at its highest level. Nadal, fuelled by the crowd’s energy, fought valiantly, showcasing the tenacity that has made him a Roland Garros icon. Despite his efforts and the crowd’s fervent support, the American duo held their ground, sealing their victory with precision and composure.
In the end, the victory belonged to Ram and Krajicek, whose resilience and synergy exemplified the very message inscribed on the court. As fans reflect on this thrilling encounter, it serves as a reminder that in the realm of sports, true triumph often lies in the spirit of perseverance.
Ram, after the match, said, “Rafa is the best athlete at Roland and one of the best in the sport. The atmosphere was incredible at centre court today. It was an honour to play against Rafa at the Roland. I wished Carlos for the singles after the match”.
Ram knows a bit in Hindi, and said a few words about Nadal. “My Hindi is not that good, bahut acha tha, bhagwan kee blessing hai.”
On being asked if Nadal is GOAT, Ram added: “With due respect to Nadal, Novak is the greatest of all time. But Rafa is the greatest of all time at Roland Garros.”