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Tennis world erupts over massive news about Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal at Olympics

The legendary tennis duo are on course for a showdown in Paris.

riley morgan
Sports Reporter
·5-min read

The tennis world has been left stunned after Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal were placed on the same side of the Olympics singles draw, meaning they're on course to play each other in the second round. However Nadal's coach has dropped a shock hint that the Spaniard might withdraw from the singles competition and only play doubles.

Djokovic is entering the Olympics with a clear goal having been handed the No.1 seed after Jannik Sinner withdrew earlier this week. Djokovic has won just about everything possible in tennis, but has never stood on the podium as a gold medal winner. The Serb has made it clear the Olympics was one of his last goals he wanted to complete in tennis.

Rafa Nadal (pictured far left) might only play doubles with Carlos Alcaraz at the Olympics, after he was drawn on the same side of the schedule with No.1 seed Novak Djokovic (pictured right). (Getty Images)
Rafa Nadal (pictured far left) might only play doubles with Carlos Alcaraz at the Olympics, after he was drawn on the same side of the schedule with No.1 seed Novak Djokovic (pictured right). (Getty Images)

Nadal has won two golds at the Olympics, but enters the clay court tournament knowing it could be his final competition in his illustrious career. And the tennis world could not believe the draw when Djokvoic and Nadal were placed in the same bracket with a second round match-up predicted. Djokovic will play Aussie Matt Ebden in the first round on the Paris clay.

Nadal can't look past his first round opponent having drawn dangerous Hungarian Marton Fucsovics. If the two do meet in Paris, it would be the first time in two years the legends have played each other. It could also be the last time they meet on a tennis court.

And while everyone is already talking about the potential meet between the Serbian and Spaniard icons in the second round, Nadal's coach dropped a major hint the 'King of Clay' may not play in the singles draw. Nadal only played one match at Roland Garros this year, having lost in the opening round, before he skipped Wimbledon to prepare for the Olympics.

Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz are set to compete in the doubles for Spain with the younger Spaniard a huge chance of a medal in singles having won Roland Garros earlier this year. The duo have been the talk of the Olympic village with fans around the world excited to see the future of tennis link up with one of his idols.

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal practice.
Carlos Alcaraz (pictured right) and Rafael Nadal (pictured left) are set to play doubles for Spain at the Olympics.

However, Carlos Moya claimed Nadal might not compete in the singles competition after failing to overcome an abductor injury. The Spaniard reportedly cancelled a practice session this week and Moya wasn't overly confident the Spaniard would play by himself in Paris.

“I can’t say for sure that Nadal will play,” coach Carlos Moyá said to Spanish Radio station Onda Cero, according to Clay Tennis publication. "We want to give him 48 hours to see how he is improving and how he is recovering and well, if everything goes normal and everything goes well, then on Saturday he will jump (to the court)."

While news of Nadal's injury woes has some fans worried, many were ready for potentially one final clash between the two tennis icons. Nadal has hinted this could be his last professional tennis tournament having already skipped the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2024. Even Aussie Ebden couldn't help but share a joke at his potential draw of Djokovic and then Nadal if he manages to defeat the No.1 seed.

Alex de Minaur will face German powerhouse Jan-Lennard Struff. The duo met at Roland Garros in May with de Minaur prevailing in a tough four-set clash. De Minaur is scheduled to meet Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion Alcaraz if they both make the quarter finals. Alcaraz will play Lebanese Hady Habib in his opening round match.

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Aussie Ebden was handed a horror singles drawn but the he is hoping to make waves in the doubles event. Ebden will team up with veteran John Peers. There first round opponents will be Lebanese pair Habib and Benjamin Hassan. Ebden will also team up with Ellen Perez in the mixed-doubles and take on Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo and Marcel Granollers in the opening round.