It couldn't get any better. Spanish tennis is celebrating after learning that the two greatest players in the country's history, Rafa Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, will team up to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Recently crowned French Open champion Carlos Alcaraz and 14-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal will play next month, the Spanish Tennis Federation (RFET) announced last Wednesday. The news had been expected for some time, but was only recently confirmed by both players and the federation.

Alcaraz, ranked second in the world, won his third Grand Slam title last weekend on the clay of Roland Garros in Paris. The Olympic tournament will be held there from 27 July to 4 August. Alcaraz, just 21, became the youngest player to win a Grand Slam on all three surfaces: hard court, clay and grass. His talent and speed make him one of the players who will define an era in world tennis.

Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, returned to competition last April after missing most of the past 16 months due to injury and is currently ranked 264th in the world. With injuries preventing him from playing regularly, the Spanish champion is going through a difficult time. Although Nadal insists he has no intention of retiring, this could be his last season as a professional.

It is clear that this is one of the most eagerly awaited tennis news stories. 38-year-old Nadal and 21-year-old Alcaraz will be teaming up, with the former almost twice the age of the latter. David Ferrer, who was also a finalist at Roland Garros in 2013, losing to Rafa Nadal, is now Spain's coach and has confirmed the presence of both players in the singles.

Nadal won Olympic gold in singles at Beijing 2008 and in doubles at Rio 2016. He has every title in the book. In Beijing 2008, he beat Fernando González in the final. In Rio 2016, he won doubles gold with Marc López.

Nadal has always said he would like to retire at the Olympics, and although he hasn't confirmed it yet, with competition still to come, Paris 2024 could be the perfect end to a truly magnificent career, cementing his place as one of the greatest tennis players in history.

The only concern for the champion is his physical condition. Alongside him will be Carlos Alcaraz, who is already looking to repeat his success at Wimbledon 2023 before returning to the courts in Paris. The young Spaniard is aiming to become one of the few players to have won Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year. 

There are six to date, including Rafa Nadal. Everything is in place for tennis fans to enjoy one of the best doubles pairings of all time.

World number 32 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Pablo Carreño Busta and world number two Marcel Granollers complete the Spanish men's squad. On the women's side, Spanish number one Sara Sorribes and world number 67 Cristina Bucsa have been included in the team.

Former world number two Paula Badosa is not in the squad for Paris. She is currently ranked 118th and has been plagued by injuries. "RFET president Miguel Díaz Román said, "We have the chance to win two or three medals at the Olympics. All national federations have until 19 June to submit their final lists for the Games.