"Carlos Alcaraz is probably partying" - Casper Ruud jokes about how he hasn't yet asked him for tips for doubles with Rafael Nadal at Olympics

Casper Ruud's hilarious response on being asked if Carlos Alcaraz had called him for tips to play doubles with Rafael Nadal left everyone in splits. Alcaraz will team up with Nadal for Team Spain at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the doubles category, and the two men will also compete in singles.

Nadal skipped the grass swing after a disappointing run on European clay, where he failed to reach the quarterfinals even once. Widely regarded as the 'King of Clay,' his decision to skip Wimbledon was in view of the Olympics being held at Roland Garros, meaning the matches will be played on clay.

The Spaniard has entered the Nordea Open in Bastad to get some match practice on clay. He has teamed up with his protege Casper Ruud for doubles and the duo reached the semifinals after defeating Theo Arribage and Roman Safiullin 6-4, 3-6, 12-10 in an hour and 33 minutes on Wednesday.

During an on-court interview, Ruud was asked if Alcaraz had called him up to ask for tips to play doubles alongside the 38-year-old icon. The Norwegian said Alcaraz must be busy partying after winning the Wimbledon Championships last week. He added that if needed, he would be available for the 21-year-old.

“Carlos? He’s busy probably partying after winning Wimbledon so he has all the rights to enjoy and take some rest. If he wants I’m available on the phone,” Ruud said.

Both Nadal and the crowd burst into laughter at hearing Ruud's reply.

"One of the best in history" - Rafael Nadal calls Carlos Alcaraz a player with 'enormous potential', predicts possible future

Carls Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal (image source: GETTY)

While speaking to the press after his first-round win in doubles, Rafael Nadal said he believes Carlos Alcaraz is going to go down as one of the greatest players of all time. He said the young Spaniard has enormous potential but added that life could change anytime.

"My impression is that we are talking about a player who is going to be one of the best in history," Nadal said (via Punto de Break). "That's my feeling. He is a player with enormous potential. Life can change quickly, that's the truth. You never know what can happen in the future, but today, if we have to predict what will happen in his career, we predict amazing things."

Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud are in the semifinals in Bastad. The Spaniard will face Cameron Norrie in the second round in singles, but Ruud was stunnned by Thiago Monteiro 6-3, 6-3 in his opening match.