They won in contrasting styles, but Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have booked a blockbuster clash in the second round of the men’s singles at Paris 2024.
A day after Djokovic eased past Matthew Ebden for the loss of just one game, Nadal outlasted Marton Fucsovics 6-1 4-6 6-4 in a match lasting more than two-and-a-half hours on Court Philippe Chatrier.
Winning has been an early theme of the 2024 Games for Nadal, who also combined with fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz to score a memorable win in the first round of the men’s doubles.
Nadal’s singles victory over Fucsovics sets up an incredible 60th professional meeting between the two men with the most Grand Slam singles titles in history; Djokovic is a 24-time major winner while Nadal has won 22.
And it’s their first match at an Olympic Tennis Event since 2008, when Nadal won their tightly-contested semifinal before going on to win singles gold in Beijing.
Djokovic narrowly leads the head-to-head series 30-29.
“It has been always super special to play against Novak,” Nadal said in comments reported on the ITF website.
“But normally we have been playing for finals or for semifinals. This is in the second round. Of course, it’s in the Olympics, where every match is super special. But it’s true that at the same time, almost every single match I arrived with a different situation than I am in today.
“So that makes the match more difficult for me and more unpredictable, no? But I always have hope. I always believe, and I am going to give my best.”
Indeed, after being a top-10 ranked player in each of his 59 previous meetings with Djokovic, Nadal enters this match as the world No.161.
His unusually low ranking reflects his injury woes in the past two seasons. He missed practically all of 2023 and has played just six events in 2024, a recent bright spot being his run to the Bastad final just prior to the Paris Games.
It’s been more than two years since he played Djokovic; he won their last meeting, on the same court, in the 2022 Roland Garros quarterfinals.
The Spanish great has hinted that he is nearing the end of his storied career. After his first-round loss at Roland Garros this year, he said: “If I keep enjoying doing what I am doing and I feel myself competitive and healthy enough to enjoy … I don't know for how long, but I want to keep going for a while.
“Give me two months until Olympics, and then let's see if I am able to keep going or I say, ‘OK, guys, it's more than enough’.”
We’ve reached that point, yet it remains unknown what Nadal’s exact plans are beyond the Paris 2024 Games.
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Djokovic was conscious his enduring rival was potentially nearing the end of his career, telling Access Hollywood in Paris: “I hope we get to meet because it will probably be one last dance for both of us.”
The last time he beat Nadal was also at Roland Garros, in the 2021 semifinals.
Despite some recent injury struggles of his own, the Serbian has maintained his position at the top of the sport, holding the No.1 ranking for the majority of 2024 and being the top seed at this Olympic Tennis Event.
Olympic singles gold is the only achievement missing from Djokovic’s impeccable tennis CV.
His motivation will be as high as ever, and his form is improving, judging by his recent run to the Wimbledon final.
MORE: Djokovic tips his hat to Alcaraz after Wimbledon final loss
Nadal understands he faces an extraordinary test when they clash on Monday in Paris.
"Of course we are in different situations in our careers. His moment and my moment. He’s coming from being in the final of a Grand Slam. I’m coming without being very competitive for the last three years,” Nadal said.
“So let’s see. It’s in a special place.”