On Monday, July 29, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will face off in the second round of the men’s singles at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024. The two tennis legends will renew their rivalry, having last met in the 2022 French Open quarterfinals, where Nadal emerged victorious and went on to win the championship. Since then, Nadal has struggled with injuries, while Djokovic has faced inconsistency amid the rise of younger players. This match will mark their 60th encounter and could potentially be their final showdown.
In their head-to-head record, Djokovic holds a slight advantage with a 30-29 lead over Nadal. However, Nadal dominates their clay court meetings, leading 20-8, and will enter Monday’s match as the slight favorite at Roland Garros. The last time they met in the Olympics, Nadal defeated Djokovic in the semifinals of the 2008 Beijing Games and went on to win gold, while Djokovic settled for bronze. The upcoming match promises to be another thrilling chapter in their storied rivalry.
Match Details
- Date and Time: The Nadal vs Djokovic clash will take place on Monday, July 29, on Court Philippe-Chatrier, starting not before 1:30 PM local time (5:00 PM IST).
- Where to Watch: The match will be broadcast live on Sports 18 1 and Sports 18 2 channels, with live streaming available on the JioCinema app and website.
Pre-Match Statements
Nadal has identified Djokovic as the favorite for the upcoming match, saying, “Situations are completely different for him, for me. He’s been very competitive. I haven’t been very competitive for the last two years, so I think he is probably the clear favorite.”
Djokovic acknowledged Nadal as his greatest rival, stating, “Nadal is always my biggest rival. As long as Nadal is playing and as long as I’m playing, he is always my biggest rival regardless of the rankings or what’s going on on the tour just because of the history of our rivalry.”
Fans eagerly await to see how this latest chapter in the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry will unfold.