American doubles specialists Ram, Krajicek shock Spanish superstars Nadal, Alcaraz

Rajeev Ram and Austin Krajicek, who toil in tennis obscurity relative to the titans who were across the net from them in the Olympic men’s doubles quarterfinals, had their own story to write on Wednesday.

Philippe Chatrier may have been Rafael Nadal’s court for the last two decades and Carlos Alcaraz’s for the next two. But in the end, this was the Americans’ turf.

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“Doubles players are certainly deserving and should be respected for what they do,” the 40-year-old Ram said after he and Krajicek delivered a pretty straightforward 6-2, 6-4 defeat to the Nadalcaraz sensation. “I feel like it’s a craft on its own.

It’s a different discipline. It’s certainly not the physicality of singles, but it does bring its own set of skills to the table that I think can work even if you’re playing two of the best singles players.”

Though the match turned out to be routine, the occasion was anything but. A full stadium, playing two Spaniards with a combined 26 Grand Slam singles titles and hardly any American flags to be found.

Heck, even some people back home were probably rooting for Nadal and Alcaraz to win a medal here in what could very well be the last time Nadal ever takes the court at Roland Garros.

In fact, moments after the match ended, Nadal walked to the middle of the court and waved to the crowd while making a slow, 360-degree turn, as if he were taking in the scene one last time.

Now, even more important, Ram and Krajicek have a real chance to win the gold medal. They’ll next play Tomas Machac and Adam Pavlasek of the Czech Republic, who are not nearly as accomplished or experienced.

But they’ll never forget what happened Wednesday.

“I think it’s something we’ll probably look back on and think it’s pretty amazing,” Ram said. “But we’ve come here to do a job and give our best to go all the way.”