“I need this so bad” – Fans go berserk as Paris Olympics singles draw reveals Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal can be a potential R2

While Djokovic leads Nadal 30-29 in their head-to-head meetings, the latter leads 20-7 on clay.

“I need this so bad” – Fans go berserk as Paris Olympics singles draw reveals Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal can be a potential R2

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal (via Imago)

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal could play each other in the second round of the 2024 Paris Olympics after being grouped in the same quarter of the draw. The duo last played each other over two years ago at the 2022 Roland Garros.

Djokovic will play Australian Matthew Ebden in the first round while Nadal will play Hungarian Martin Fucsovics, before a possible second-round meeting. The duo have faced each other 59 times over the years, with Djokovic leading 30-29 in their head-to-head meeting. However, the Spaniard leads the Serbian 20-7 on clay.

This is the first time since the French Open two years ago that the pair will be facing each other. Nadal triumphed 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 then and went on to win the title. Currently, however, they are in contrasting forms, with Djokovic having reached the Wimbledon final this month while Nadal has not had a lot of action since the start of last season.

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Nadal has competed in just six tournaments this season. Despite playing a handful of events during the clay season, he failed to impress, winning five matches across four tournaments. He suffered a first-round exit in the French Open, losing to Germany’s Alexander Zverev.

The winner between Nadal and Djokovic in the second round will probably face Frenchman Arthur Fils in the third round. Stefanos Tsitsipas or Sebastian Baez will be a likely third-round opponent.

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Fans on social media react to Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s potential second-round clash at the Paris Olympics

Fans on social media have come alive about a possible second-round meeting between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at the Paris Olympics. They have previously faced each other once at the Games when Nadal beat the Serbian in the 2008 Beijing Olympics semifinals.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal (via Imago)

One fan stated that it was clash he was badly looking forward to.

I need this so badly

A fan said on X (formerly known as Twitter)

Here are some other fan reactions:

Nadal is a two-time gold medalist at the Olympic Games. He won the singles gold at Beijing 2008 and the doubles gold at Rio 2016. Djokovic, on the other hand, has won only one bronze medal (Beijing 2008) at the quadrennial event.

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