In a stunning turn of events at Roland Garros, Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram have managed to outshine the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal in the Men’s Doubles quarterfinals at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris. The victory came as a surprise to many in the tennis world, considering Alcaraz’s recent French Open win and Nadal’s legendary status in the sport.
Despite the odds stacked against them in terms of career earnings, with Krajicek at $3.7 million and Ram at $9.6 million compared to Alcaraz’s $31 million and Nadal’s remarkable $135 million, the American duo’s success can be attributed to their past achievements. Both Krajicek and Ram have held the coveted ATP-ranked No. 1 position in men’s doubles, showcasing their prowess in the sport.
The Krajicek name holds a special place in tennis history, with Richard Krajicek, a distant cousin of Austin, making waves in the sport back in 1996. Richard, who became the first Dutch male to win a major singles title at Wimbledon, inspired Austin to follow in his footsteps. Despite not reaching another major final after his Wimbledon triumph, Richard’s influence on Austin’s career cannot be overlooked.
Austin’s connection to Roland Garros runs deep, especially after his French Open doubles victory last year with Ivan Dodig. As he gears up for the semifinals at the Summer Olympics in Paris, Austin is determined to bring home the gold for the United States, building on his success from the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
The defeat of Alcaraz and Nadal by Krajicek and Ram signifies a changing of the guard in men’s doubles tennis, with the American pair proving that they have what it takes to compete at the highest level. As the competition heats up at Roland Garros, all eyes will be on Krajicek and Ram as they continue their quest for Olympic glory.
