July 25, (THEWILL) – Tennis legends, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, could face off in the second round of the 2024 Paris Olympics as revealed by Thursday’s draw. This potential early clash between two of the sport’s greatest players sets the stage for an electrifying tournament that will thrill tennis fans.
Djokovic, the top seed following world number one, Jannik Sinner’s withdrawal, will begin his quest for Olympic gold against Australia’s Matthew Ebden. The 37-year-old Serbian, boasting an impressive 24 Grand Slam titles, aims to add to his 2008 bronze medal. Meanwhile, Nadal, who has clinched both singles and doubles gold in previous Games, starts his final Olympic journey against Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics.
The draw has also set intriguing paths for other top contenders. Second-seeded Carlos Alcaraz, fresh from his French Open and Wimbledon victories, is slated to face Lebanon’s Hady Habib, ranked 275th globally. However, two-time singles gold medallist Andy Murray has opted to withdraw from singles competition, focusing solely on doubles alongside Dan Evans in what will be his Olympic swansong.
On the women’s side, world number one Iga Swiatek returns to Roland Garros, where she claimed her fourth French Open title last month, to face Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu. A compelling first-round match sees Germany’s Angelique Kerber, who announced her impending retirement post-Olympics, pitted against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan.
With a mix of seasoned veterans and rising stars, the 2024 Paris Olympics promises to deliver unforgettable moments on the court.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
