Rafael Nadal to face Novak Djokovic in Olympic blockbuster

PARIS – Rafael Nadal set up a blockbuster clash with Novak Djokovic in the second round of the Paris Olympics men’s singles tennis competition after beating Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 on July 28.

No man has more Grand Slam singles titles than Spain’s Nadal (22) or Serbia’s Djokovic (24).

The Spaniard’s participation in the singles competition had been in doubt after concerns over a thigh injury he suffered in training.

A day earlier, Nadal returned to his favourite stomping ground with young sidekick Carlos Alcaraz, as Spain’s new dream team took their first stride on the road to Olympic gold.

The 38-year-old king of Roland Garros and the new 21-year-old prince of men’s tennis were roared on by a packed Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd during a 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 win over sixth-seeded Argentinian pair Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni.

Alcaraz had played earlier, beating Lebanon’s Hady Habib 6-3, 6-1 in the singles on a rain-hit opening day of Olympics tennis in which only a handful of matches were completed.

Men’s top seed Djokovic thrashed Australian alternate Matthew Ebden 6-0, 6-1 after women’s favourite Iga Swiatek of Poland launched her bid for gold with a scrappy 6-2, 7-5 win against Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu.

But the day’s headline act was always going to be the opening chapter of the “Nadalcaraz” story, which will surely etch itself into the Parisian red clay over the coming days.

It was the first time 14-time French Open champion Nadal and Alcaraz, winner of four Grand Slams including the French Open and Wimbledon in 2024, had played together in competition.

There were some misfires and Alcaraz admitted he was nervous playing with his idol, but they gelled quickly enough to subdue the skilful South American duo in front of Nadal’s son Rafa Jr and the two daughters of Spain’s King Felipe VI.

“An unforgettable moment for me, without a doubt,” Nadal said. “I think for him too, to come out here on this stage and play together representing Spain at the Olympic Games is a combination that is difficult to beat.”

Nadal’s preparation was unusual in the extreme, the Spaniard having spent the night of July 26 carrying the Olympic torch in a boat on a choppy River Seine in the rain at the opening ceremony.

There were also injury concerns ahead of what is likely to be his last dance at Roland Garros, but Nadal rolled back the years on the rectangle of red dirt he first conquered when Alcaraz was a two-year-old.

Nadal won singles gold in 2008 and doubles with Marc Lopez in 2016. While he chases a third Olympic title, Djokovic is yet to bag one in four previous Games. The 37-year-old has suffered some heartbreaking Olympic disappointments, twice losing in singles semi-finals, with his only medal being a singles bronze from 2008.

He could not have asked for an easier start in his bid to fill the gap in his trophy cabinet, as he dispatched doubles-specialist Ebden in 53 minutes.

“Playing him is like a final for me in any tournament, and particularly here, knowing what he has achieved,” the Serb said of an 11th career meeting with Nadal at Roland Garros.

Swiatek opened proceedings under the closed Court Philippe-Chatrier 50 days after winning her fourth French Open on the same arena, and admitted it had been a tough start.

“I’m happy that I’m through because first rounds are never easy, especially at the Olympics,” she said after matching her run to the second round in Tokyo.

The opening day of tennis was disrupted by heavy rain, with thousands of fans without tickets left frustrated as not a ball was struck on the uncovered courts.

Italy’s French Open and Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini beat Romania’s Ana Bogdan 7-5, 6-3, while a soggy day ended with Germany’s retiring Angelique Kerber extending her career a bit longer with a win by the same score over Japan’s Naomi Osaka.

There was heartbreak for French favourite Caroline Garcia, though, as she lost to Romanian Jaqueline Cristian 5-7, 6-3, 6-4.

Also, Australia’s Alex de Minaur has withdrawn from the singles as he continues to recover from a hip injury that cut short his Wimbledon campaign, the world No. 6 said on July 28. REUTERS