Excitement in store: Nadal and Djokovic could meet in Olympic second round
The two players could face each other for the 60th time on the circuit, provided they win their respective first rounds
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal (JB Autissier/Panoramic)
The draw for the Olympic tournament has thrown up a surprise: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal could meet in the second round. A 60th meeting has never been so close. Before thinking about yet another duel, the Serb, seeded first, will have to overcome Matthew Ebden, while the Spaniard will face Marton Fucsovics.
As at the French Open, where he faced Alexander Zverev in the first round, Rafael Nadal is paying for his ranking in the draw, which does not protect him. This potential clash with Djokovic could be the final episode in one of the greatest rivalries of the 21st century.
The last time the old rivals met was two years ago in the quarter-finals of the French Open, which the Majorcan won on his way to his 14th Porte d’Auteuil title. Overall, the Serb leads 30-29 in their meetings.
Alcaraz looking safe
The great favourite at this Olympic tournament, Carlos Alcaraz, fresh from his Roland-Garros-Wimbledon double and seeded second, should not have too much to worry about before the semi-finals. The four-time Grand Slam winner will start against Lebanon’s Hady Habib, ranked 275th in the world, before facing Cameron Norrie or Tallon Griekspoor.
His first real test could come in the semi-finals against Daniil Medvedev or Casper Ruud. In the quarter-finals, he could come up against Alex de Minaur or Tommy Paul. The 20-year-old will be playing in his first Olympic tournament in Paris.
Alexander Zverev, a finalist at Roland Garros, will start against Jaume Munar, ranked 65th in the world, before facing the winner of a tie between Tomas Machac and Zhizhen Zhang. In the quarter-finals, the German could face Taylor Fritz and then Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal.
In doubles, the Alcaraz/Nadal pair will kick off their tournament against the Argentinians, seeded sixth, Gonzalez/Molteni.
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