Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic on course for early clash at Olympics

Field Level Media|published: Thu 25th July, 15:07 2024

May 31, 2022; Paris, France; Rafael Nadal (ESP) at the net with Novak Djokovic (SRB) after their match on day 10 of the French Open at Stade Roland-Garros. Nadal won 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4). Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports

Tennis legends Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal could have an early showdown at the Paris Olympics.

Draws for the Olympic tournament were held Thursday at Roland Garros, with No. 1 seed Djokovic set to face Australia's Matthew Ebden in the first round.

If Nadal defeats Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in his opener, and Djokovic tops Ebden, the two will meet in the second round.

Djokovic, of Serbia, has 24 Grand Slam titles to his credit; the Spaniard Nadal has 22. But 14 of Nadal's titles have come at the French Open on the clay courts at Roland Garros, where Djokovic has claimed three victories.

Nadal won the gold medal at the 2008 Games in Beijing, where Djokovic took the bronze.

Carlos Alcaraz, who won both the French Open and Wimbledon this summer, is the No. 2 seed and drew Lebanon's Hady Habib in the first round.

No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev of Germany, the gold medalist at Tokyo in the 2020 Games, will open against Jaume Munar of Spain.

The No. 4 seed, Daniil Medvedev, drew Rinky Hijikata of Australia, while No. 5 Alex de Minaur of Australia will face Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany.

Nadal and Alcaraz will pair in men's doubles and meet the sixth-seeded team, Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni of Argentina, in the opening round.

--Field Level Media