Grand Slam record-breakers Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal had been positioned on an Olympics second-round collision course within the draw for the Paris Video games on Thursday.
Nadal, a singles gold medallist on the 2008 Olympics, is taking part in in his remaining Video games having additionally received doubles gold in Rio in 2016, whereas Djokovic was a bronze medallist in singles in 2008.
Serbia’s Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam champion and high seed in Paris following the withdrawal of world primary Jannik Sinner, begins his marketing campaign in opposition to Australia’s Matthew Ebden.
“I’m excited for this duel within the second spherical, and I’ll give it my all,” stated Djokovic, who has confronted Nadal 59 occasions over the previous 18 years.
“I’m conscious of the significance of the Olympic Video games. I signify my nation, which is extra duty and much more strain.”
Spain’s Nadal, who has received 14 of his 22 Grand Slams on the clay of Roland Garros, faces Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics in his opener.
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French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed, tackles 275th-ranked Hady Habib of Lebanon within the opening spherical of the match, which begins on Saturday.
“Roland Garros is probably the most particular place on the planet of tennis for me,” stated 38-year-old Nadal, who was defeated within the first spherical of the French Open by Alexander Zverev final month throughout an injury-hit season.
“This yr I used to be not ready to spend so much of time at Roland Garros, so I’m excited to be again right here. It’s one other alternative and an opportunity to take pleasure in each single second.”
Defending Olympic champion Zverev, seeded third, takes on Jaume Munar of Spain.
Russian fourth seed Daniil Medvedev, taking part in in Paris as a impartial following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, will meet Rinky Hijikata of Australia.
Two-time singles gold medallist Andy Murray, who will finish his profession on the Olympics after virtually twenty years on tour, will solely play doubles.
The 37-year-old former world primary underwent surgical procedure to take away a cyst on his again earlier than Wimbledon, which additionally sidelined him from singles on the All England Membership.