Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic both acknowledged they had a first obstacle to overcome at the Paris Games, but Djokovic admits that playing Nadal at the Olympics would be fascinating.
The Djokovic and Nadal rivalry, which has been the most fruitful in men’s tennis throughout the Open Era, is about to enter its 60th episode as the two players may play each other in Roland Garros’ second round.
But before Djokovic can play on clay in Paris, he must first defeat Australia’s Matthew Ebden, and Nadal will play Marton Fucsovics in the opening round.
The Serbian has the narrowest advantage in their head-to-head match, 30-29, even though Nadal has won eight of their ten meetings at Roland Garros and is also 20-8 in their head-to-head on clay. Meanwhile, Djokovic may have the upper hand because Nadal hasn’t played this season properly due to injury.
Djokovic was asked about the potential meeting with his great rival and replied: “It’s gonna be a spectacle if we get to meet. Expect some fireworks on the court, like the good old times. I hope we get to meet because it will probably be one last dance for both of us.”
Novak Djokovic says he hopes he plays Rafa Nadal in Round 2 of Olympics
“It’s gonna be a spectacle if we get to meet. Expect some fireworks on court, like the good old times…I hope we get to meet bc it will probably be one last dance for both of us” 🥹
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 25, 2024
Novak Djokovic in 2024
LWWWWWWLWW At the moment ranked no.2, Djokovic played his last contest on the 14th of July when he capitulated to world no.3 Carlos Alcaraz 6-2 6-2 7-6(4) in the final in Wimbledon (draw).
Currently, during this season the Serbian owns a composed 23-7 win-loss record. Novak Djokovic’s latest run in Wimbledon was the best achievement of his season.
Novak Djokovic will play Matthew Ebden in the 1st round. In the past, they have never competed against each other till now in top tournaments.
Djokovic got to the final in Wimbledon.
Novak won 99 titles in his career: 53 on hard courts, 19 on clay courts, 19 on indoor courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Djokovic is scheduled to play next in Montreal (National Bank Open). He will start the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 5th of August.
Rafael Nadal in 2024
Currently ranked no.161, Rafael played his last match on the 21st of July when he was overcome by world no.42 Nuno Borges 6-3 6-2 in the final in Bastad (draw).
This season Nadal achieved an overall 11-6 record. Rafael Nadal’s latest run in Bastad was the best achievement of his season.
Rafael Nadal will square off with the world no.83 Marton Fucsovics in the 1st round. In the past, they have never played each other up to now on the main tour.
Nadal got to the final in Bastad (Nordea Open).
Rafael won 92 titles in his career: 24 on hard courts, 63 on clay courts, 1 on indoor courts and 4 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Nadal has scheduled to play next at the U.S. Open (U.S. Open). He will start from the main draw that will commence on the 26th of August.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal played each other 59 times. Their head to head is 30-29 for Djokovic. The last time they competed against each other, Rafael Nadal won 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6(4) in the quarter in Paris (French Open) in May 2022.
In the following video you can watch the key moments of their match.
