Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have set up a marquee second-round encounter at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Both men came through contrasting wins in their opening matches and will clash for a spot in the last-16.
While Djokovic was a 6-1, 6-0 winner over Matthew Ebden, Nadal needed three sets to overcome the challenge of Marton Fucsovics 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.
With the dust settled on their last meeting, both men are now looking ahead at the 60th installment of this storied on-court rivalry.
Speaking to ATP.com ahead of the match, Nadal said it was “beautiful” to get to play against one of his greatest rivals on Court Philippe-Chatrier — a court that has seen him lift a record 14 French Open titles.
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The Spaniard, however, was quick to add that the situation is completely different for him and Djokovic, given that he has been battling injuries over the last couple of years, while the Serb continues to fight for the sport’s biggest titles. That, he believed, made Djokovic the clear favorite to win.
“Of course it's beautiful to play against one of the two biggest rivals that I had in my career, especially on this court,” Rafael Nadal said. “But situations are completely different for him, for me."
"He's being very competitive. I was not being very competitive for the last two years, so in that case, I think probably he is the clear favourite," he added.
Nadal, however, vowed to bring his best tennis to the encounter before expressing hope on being able to push Djokovic on court.
"I'm going to try my best to bring the best to the court and then let's see how far I can go and how many problems I can create [for] him."
"Always beautiful" - Rafael Nadal on playing at Philippe-Chatrier ahead of Novak Djokovic Paris Olympics showdown
With two of the sport’s greatest competing, it’s hard to imagine the match being played anywhere but the Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Rafael Nadal, who remains the most decorated player at the venue, says it was always beautiful to step out onto the court as he was representing his country at the Olympics.
“It's always beautiful to play on this court without a doubt,” Nadal said. “Representing your country is always super special."
"Every single day when sometimes the energy is not there, thinking that you are not playing just by yourself helps and in that case it has been important for me today,” he added.
Nadal won the Olympics singles gold at the 2008 Beijing Games. Djokovic, meanwhile, continues his hunt for the elusive Olympic gold medal in Paris.
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