Paris Olympics 2024 Men’s Singles Draw: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal potential R2; Carlos Alcaraz handed a tough path to final 

Jannik Sinner's withdrawal sees Djokovic become the top seed, with Alcaraz the second seed.


Paris Olympics 2024 Men’s Singles Draw: Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal potential R2; Carlos Alcaraz handed a tough path to final 

Rafael Nadal (L), Novak Djokovic (C) and Carlos Alcaraz (via Imago)

The men’s draw for the 2024 Paris Olympics was made and as expected, there are a host of interesting clashes to look forward, with one coming as early as the second round.

The draw, which was announced on Thursday (July 25), sees top seed Novak Djokovic begin his bid for a maiden Olympic gold against Matthew Ebden. Reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz is set to take on Hady Habib while his doubles partner Rafael Nadal is scheduled to face Marton Fucsovics.

Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Alexander Zverev, who has recently stated that he was eager to defend his crown, is set to lock horns with Alex de Minaur. Meanwhile, there have been a slew of withdrawals in the last few days. The most notable is World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, who pulled out citing to illness. Two-time Olympic champion Andy Murray and Holger Rune are some of the other big names who have decided to not take part in the singles this year.

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Tournament Details

  • Tournament: Olympics
  • Date: July 27 – August 4
  • No. of Entrants: 64 (Singles)
  • Venue: Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France
  • Surface: Outdoor Clay
  • Defending Champion: Alexander Zverev

Top Seeds at the Paris Olympics

  • Novak Djokovic
  • Carlos Alcaraz
  • Alexander Zverev
  • Daniil Medvedev
  • Alex de Minaur
  • Casper Ruud
  • Taylor Fritz
  • Stefanos Tsitsipas
  • Tommy Paul
  • Ugo Humbert

Paris Olympics 2024 Draw Preview

First Round predictions for the Paris Olympics

While there are no blockbuster clashes in the opening round, we could still see some interesting matches right at the start. All eyes will be on the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz, among others, as their performances will give an early indication of who will be best placed to fight till the end.

Of the handful of players who can cause an upset in the Round of 64, the quartet of Matteo Arnaldi, Jack Draper, Fabian Marozsan and Jan-Lennard Struff are the ones to keep an eye on. A morale-boosting win for any of them could see them add to their opening round scalps further in the tournament.

Second Round predictions for the Paris Olympics

Djokovic is expected to beat doubles specialist Matthew Ebden in the first round and Rafael Nadal should be able to get past Marton Fucsovics, meaning a scrumptious Round of 32 clash between the age-old rivals is on the cards.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal (via Imago)

It will be the 60th time they face each other, with the Serbian leading 30-29 in the head-to-head currently. Though Nadal has ruled the clay courts in Paris throughout his career, in his current form, he will find it hard to get the better of the World No. 2.

Among the other matches in this round, Alcaraz’s potential clash with Cameron Norrie has the potential for an upset. However, with the Spaniard’s abilities on clay and the form he is in right now, he should be able to defend everything the Brit throws at him.

Third 16 predictions for the Paris Olympics

Over the years, Djokovic has not had trouble to find his best form when the fans are not on his side. This could come in handy when he faces home favorite and rising star Arthur Fils. While the Frenchman has shown promise on the ATP Tour, beating the Serbian when he is in the zone will be a tough ask.

Among the other potential matches in this round, Alexander Zverev vs Stan Wawrinka and Lorenzo Musetti vs Taylor Fritz should be the most closely fought contests, with Zverev and Fritz coming out on top in three sets.

Quarterfinals predictions for the Paris Olympics

If things go as expected, the eight players in the quarterfinals will be Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev, Alex de Minaur, and Carlos Alcaraz.

A mouth-watering clash between Djokovic and Tsitsipas should see the former come out on top. He might not have an easy ride and might have to battle through three sets to emerge victorious. In the clash between Zverev and Fritz, the Tokyo 2020 gold medalist should be able to come through the contest without any trouble.

Medvedev, who has had a mixed season so far, faced Ruud, a player who has slowly found his footing on clay. This could easily be the most competitive match of the quarterfinals, with both players having an equal chance to progress to the next round. Finally, Four-time Major winner Alcaraz should not have a difficult time dispatching De Minaur and reaching the last four in his Games debut.

Semifinals predictions for the Paris Olympics

As we enter the business end, the four players who remain alive in the tournament could be Djokovic, Zverev, Medvedev and Alcaraz.

Over the years, Zverev has shown that he is capable of putting in strong display on the red dirt. However, even at his best on the surface, he has found it tough to beat better players. This was evident in this year’s French Open, when he lost to Alcaraz in the final. And a clash with Djokovic, who remains hungry for a maiden Olympic gold, could see his dreams of back-to-back triumphs at the Game come to an end.

Medvedev and Alcaraz clash in the other semifinal. This rivalry has been a bit one-sided on the ATP Tour, with the Spaniard leading 5-2 in the head-to-head. The have never met on clay, however. That said, given Alcaraz’s performances on the surface, he should be able to add a sixth career win against the Russian to his resume.

Final predictions for the Paris Olympics

A blockbuster clash between Djokovic and Alcaraz in the final, giving fans what they have wished for. Enough has been written about these two players in recent years, and as recently as earlier this month when they clashed in the Wimbledon final for the second year in a row.

Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz
Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz (via Imago)

Contrary to all expectations, Alcaraz breezed past the Serb to defend his title at SW19. Such was the nature of his dominant win that Djokovic admitted that there was not a lot he could have done to beat the Spaniard that day.

There is Olympic gold at stake in seventh edition of this rivalry, with the two players being tied at 3-3 in the head-to-head. It is immovable object vs unstoppable force, the veteran on his last legs vs the flamboyant, fearless youngster. Unlike the recent Wimbledon final, it should be a very tightly contest match and this time, it could be Djokovic who rises to the occasion to clinch the only thing missing in his career — an Olympic gold.

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