Novak Djokovic could face Rafal Nadal in the second round of the Olympics men’s tennis tournament after the draw was announced on Thursday.
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DJOKOVIC COULD FACE NADAL IN 2ND ROUND OF OLYMPIC MEN’S TOURNAMENT
Furthermore, Djokovic could face Nadal in the second round of the Paris Games Olympic men’s singles tournament.
Djokovic opens his Olympic campaign against Australian Matthew Ebden.
On the other hand, Nadal begins his Paris stint against Hungarian Marton Fucsovics in the same draw as Djokovic.
“Expectations for the Olympics are higher, and I can’t and don’t want to change that,” the Serbian world No.2 said.
“It creates a personal motivation for me to approach it in the best possible way for the best possible result,” he added.
Moreover, the 38-year-old Nadal hopes to add a Paris gold to his men’s singles gold in Beijing in 2008 and a doubles gold with Marc Lopez at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
“Roland Garros as everybody knows is the most special place in tennis for me,” Nadal said.
“I am enjoying the fact that I am back for the Olympics. I am just trying to enjoy every single moment,” he added.
SWIATEK OPENS PARIS BID AGAINST ROMANIAN; GAUFF FACES TOMLJANOVIC
Moreover, world No.1 Iga Swiatek opens her women’s Olympic women’s singles tournament campaign against Romanian Irina-Camelia Begu.
Second seed Coco Gauff of the United States begins her stint at Roland Garros against Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia.
Furthermore, four-time major winner Naomi Osaka of Japan will start her Olympic bid against three-time major champion Angelique Kerber of Germany.
Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova – seeded ninth – has drawn Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo for her Olympic opener.
On the other hand, Wimbledon runner-up Jasmine Paolini of Italy tries to bounce back in Paris when she faces Romanian Ana Bogdan.
Both the men’s and women’s singles Olympic tournaments are scheduled to begin on Saturday.
RYBAKINA PULLS OUT; KERBER TO RETIRE AFTER OLYMPICS
Meanwhile, third seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan withdrew from the women’s singles tournament hours after the draw was announced.
No particular reason was given for Rybakina’s decision.
Rybakina also pulled out of the mixed doubles where she was supposed to partner with Alexander Bublik.
Caroline Garcia of France will replace Rybakina’s spot in the draw as the No.,17 seed.
Daria Saville of Australia was named as an alternate.
Furthermore, Kerber has announced that she will retire from tennis after the Paris Games.
The 36-year-old Kerber was a silver medalist in Rio in 2016 behind Puerto Rican Monica Puig.
“Before the Olympics begin, I can already say that I will never forget #Paris2024, because it will be my last professional tournament as a tennis player,” Kerber said.
“Paris 2024 will mark the finish line of the most incredible journey I could have ever dreamed of growing up with a racket in hand,” she added.
