Rafael Nadal And Novak Djokovic Could Meet At Paris Olympics For The First Time Since French Open 2022. Tennis enthusiasts are hoping for their all-time favorites Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to be pitched against each other in a blockbuster match. According to the draws at the Paris Olympics, there could be a match between Nadal and Djokovic. The two have had a face-off 59 times in the Lexus ATP head2Head series, with Nadal winning eight out of the 10 matches at Roland Garros.
Their last Olympic face-off was in the 2008 Beijing semi-finals, wherein the Spaniard won the title. Moreover, if they do play against each other at the Paris Olympics, it could be the first since the 2022 French Open quarterfinals which Nadal won in four sets against Djokovic 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4). And Nadal claimed the French Open title for the 14th time.
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The Serbian tennis player acknowledged that expectations for the Paris Olympics 2024 are high. He doesn’t want to change that. Djokovic said it creates a personal motivation for him to play his best. The 24-time Grand Slam champion shared that he feels more prepared for the Olympics than he was for Wimbledon. He is also eager to play against Nadal in the second round.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal On Plans to Retire
Djokovic added that with Andy Murray announcing retirement and Nadal planning to fall back after the Olympics, he is also coming to an end. He said there are tennis players who can carry the weight of being the best. But the Serbian hopes that for the sake of sport Nadal can keep going.
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About his retirement, Djokovic, 37, said he doesn’t have any such plans in mind yet. He acknowledged that many would love him to retire but he doesn’t want to fall back anytime soon. The former World No.1 said he can keep the era going, highlighting the current generation’s bests Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner who are playing at a very high level.
Djokovic has witnessed a shift in many generations in the last 15 years, but wants to keep on playing. He said the end is nearer, but he will keep going, until he doesn’t enjoy it anymore.
