Rafael Nadal Wins In Olympic Singles And Will Play Rival Novak Djokovic On Monday

PARIS — The spectators’ first standing ovation for Rafael Nadal came when he wasn’t even present, only an image on a video screen as he waited in a stadium hallway to walk out on the court used for the Paris Olympics and the French Open, a tournament he made his own.

They remained on their feet, some clapping and others raising their phones to capture photographs of the moment he emerged and stepped on the red mud that was so familiar to him. Chants of “Ra-fa! Ra-fa!” broke out at various points, and numerous red-and-yellow Spanish flags flew in the stands as Nadal defeated Marton Fucsovics of Hungary 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 in the first round Sunday, setting up a blockbuster meeting with rival Novak Djokovic at the Summer Games.

“Playing against Novak has always been something unique, hasn’t it? No doubt about it. But the difference is that we usually play for the finals or semifinals. With a chuckle, the 38-year-old Nadal replied, “This is the second round.”

Rafael Nadal | AP News Image

Rafael Nadal Wins In Olympic Singles And Will Play Rival Novak Djokovic On Monday

Monday afternoon’s match, set for the second day at Court Philippe Chatrier, will be the 60th meeting between these two greats, more than any other two men have played against each other since the sport’s Open era began in 1968. Djokovic, 37, of Serbia, leads the head-to-head series 30-29, and his 24 Grand Slam championships make him the only man in tennis history with more than Nadal’s 22.

Djokovic underwent knee surgery in June after tearing his meniscus at the French Open but recovered swiftly and well enough to reach the Wimbledon final two weeks ago when he lost to Carlos Alcaraz. Nadal, however, has suffered several problems over the last two seasons, including hip surgery in 2023, and his right thigh was wrapped on Sunday. He needed a trainer to treat a finger on his right hand during the third set against Fucsovics.

“Almost every single match I played against Novak, I arrived in a different situation than I am now. This makes the match more difficult for me and more unpredictable,” Nadal explained. But I always have hope, I always believe, and I’m going to give my best.”

A day after winning in doubles with partner Alcaraz, Nadal remained in the singles bracket, stating that he was unsure whether he would compete in both competitions.

“It’s always amazing when they play each other,” said Stan Wawrinka, who won his three Grand Slam championships by defeating Nadal or Djokovic in the final. “There are two sports legends. It’s going to be something special, for sure.

Not only did Nadal play on Sunday, but he played very much like the version of himself everyone is used to seeing: the sprinting, sliding, grunting star who owns 22 Grand Slam titles in total and won Olympic gold medals for Spain in singles in 2008 and doubles in 2016.

And the audience adored it.

“His fighting spirit remains at its peak,” Fucsovics remarked. He isn’t playing at his best, but on a good day, he can beat anyone.

Whether still being determined should be Nadal’s final singles encounter at the Olympics was unclear. This stadium has significantly impacted his career (and vice versa). Or, indeed, anywhere. He’s been quite secretive about his retirement lately, despite previously stating in 2023 that he expected to retire in 2024.

“I realize it could be my last time playing here. “Maybe not,” Nadal responded, shrugging. “I can’t confirm that because I don’t know.”

After a morning practice session to assess his fitness, he decided to compete around 18 1/2 hours after Nadal and Alcaraz, Spain’s old and young tennis superstars, won their first doubles match together.

When Nadal and Fucsovics began warming up under a blue sky with a slight breeze, there were cheers of “Ole!”. Spectators stood up when Nadal jumped out to a 3-0 lead after just 13 minutes, winning the opening set over an outmatched Fucsovics, a 32-year-old ranked 83rd.

Nadal expressed that he felt liked by the fans.

And he did not appear to be done, especially at the start of the contest. In the second game, Nadal sprints and then slides to smash a blistering cross-court backhand that wins a point and elicits gasps from the fans.

That’s exactly what it felt like an audience captivated by and admiring a performance by someone whose output is well-known. The tireless pursuit of every ball, a lefty forehand bullwhip followed by an over-the-head finish, and the groans of exertion that accompany so many racket swings.

Naturally, Fucsovic’s CV pales in comparison to Nadal’s. Fucsovic has reached one Grand Slam quarterfinal at Wimbledon in 2021 and has lost in the first round of every major tournament this season.

Rafael Nadal | AP News Image

Rafael Nadal Wins In Olympic Singles And Will Play Rival Novak Djokovic On Monday

Nadal still needs a Slam match win in 2024. He missed the Australian Open in January due to a strained hip muscle near the site of his operation, lost in the first round of the French Open in May to eventual runner-up Alexander Zverev, and skipped Wimbledon in July to avoid having to prepare to play on grass before returning to clay for the Olympics.

After Nadal blazed through the first set, things slowed down for him. Suddenly, Fucsovics was dictating baseline exchanges, particularly with his powerful forehand.

Nadal’s muscle memory eventually kicked in, which came as no surprise. Soon, he was smacking one final forehand winner and lifting both arms, fists clenched.

Now comes a more difficult job versus Djokovic, which will undoubtedly grab a lot of attention.

“It was a good test,” Nadal said of defeating Fucsovics over two and a half hours. “The good news is that I was able to play at a good level of tennis for a while. That always inspires hope.”

Nadal

SOURCE | AP