In a thrilling development at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Rafael Nadal has secured a spot in the second round, setting the stage for a highly anticipated match against Novak Djokovic.
As per BBC Sports, Nadal, who is 38, initially faced concerns about his fitness due to a thigh injury. Despite these worries, the Spanish tennis legend managed to advance past Hungary's Marton Fucsovics with a 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 victory in his opening singles match.
Nadal, a gold medalist from the 2008 Olympics, demonstrated his renowned fighting spirit and resilience on Court Philippe Chatrier, where he has claimed a record 14 men's singles titles.
Although Nadal’s performance was strong in the first set, he struggled in the second but recovered well to clinch the win in the third set. His thigh was heavily strapped, but he showed great determination to finish the match.
Looking ahead, Nadal will face longtime rival Novak Djokovic, likely on Tuesday. This match will mark their 60th meeting, continuing one of the sport’s greatest rivalries. Djokovic, 37, advanced to the second round with a straightforward win over Australia's Matt Ebden.
Both players are among the greatest in tennis history, with a combined total of 46 Grand Slam singles titles between them as Djokovic holding 24 and Nadal 22.
Additionally, Nadal hinted that 2024 might be his final season, but his determination remains strong.
