Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal, Preview and Predictions, Olympics

Entering the 2nd round of the Olympics tennis matches and we have a game we’ve seen many times before, usually fighting for the title! Nadal vs Djokovic has been the final at 29 different occasions, including all of the Grand Slams.

Here in Paris it’s already in the second round, and even though it’s one of the most hyped matches so far, it’s not really what it used to be. These two GOAT’s of clay and legends are now in different stages of their career compared to most of the earlier encounters.

Rafa Nadal is getting closer to his retirement, that’s just a fact. Now at 38 years, the Spaniard have dealt with a series of injuries in the last 1-2 years. Even though we’ve seen some magic from the King of Clay this year, it’s very up and down, and the victories has come through hard-fought battles.

I don’t think a loss here will be his last match in his career but possibly the last one against Novak.

Nadal got through via a 3-set victory against Marton Fucsovics but it was not all that convincing.

Djokovic hasn’t entirely been himself this season either, but he’s getting closer. He keeps his fine form from Wimbledon and remains one of the favorites in Paris.

The Serb needed only 54 minutes to beat Australia’s Matthew Ebden (6-0, 6-1), however I don’t think we should look into that match in greater details. Ebden is a doubles player who entered the singles draw as an injury replacement even though he hardly played any singles matches recently.

H2H

Rafa and Novak have met a total of 59 (!) times on tour and the Serb holds a 30-29 lead in their head-to-head. Nadal won the last match, in 2022 at the French Open quarter-finals.

Predictions for Djokovic vs Nadal

You can never rule out Nadal at these courts, but it’s hard to see any reasons to back him in this match, apart from the fact that it’s being played on his favorite surface. He didn’t look too convincing in the opening round and I don’t think he got that it takes at the moment to cause an upset here.

Djokovic is currently on a higher level and slowly getting back to great form again after a poor Wimbledon final. He also has a physical edge today with a day more rest and an easier first round win.

Never having won the Olympics singles gold, Novak will be highly motivated to go deep in Paris this summer.

Prediction: Djokovic to win in two sets.