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Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal: Schedule, Preview, Predictions for Olympic Match | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats and Rumors

Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal: Schedule, Preview, Predictions for Olympic Match | News, Scores, Highlights, Stats and Rumors

PARIS, FRANCE - JULY 27: Novak Djokovic of Serbia competes against Matthew Ebden of Australia in their Men's Singles first round match during the first day of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 at Roland Garros in Paris, France on July 27, 2024. (Photo: Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)

Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images

One of the most important rivalries in sports history will be played at the Olympic Games on Monday.

Tennis legends Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will face each other in the second round of the Paris Olympics after Nadal defeated Hungarian Marton Fucsovics 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 on Sunday. Djokovic beat Australian Matthew Ebden in the first round on Saturday.

Nadal and Djokic have faced each other 59 times in their careers, including 29 different tennis tournament finals, but this will be the first time the two legends will face each other at the Olympics.

Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic Schedule

The Olympic age-based competition will take place on Monday at 07:30 CET (13:30 local time) with the second match to be played at Philippe-Chatrier Court.

Dan Wolken @DanWolken

Djokovic-Nadal are second in line to Swiatek-Parry tomorrow in Chatrier, so probably around 1:30 or 2pm Paris time.

The Iga Swiatek – Dianne Parry match will start at 12:00 local time.

With both stars nearing the end of their careers, this could be the last time fans will get to see Nadal and Djokovic face off.

Nadal has been plagued by injuries for the past two seasons, but he looked like himself on Sunday, moving quickly and confidently to take the win. It was a last-minute decision for Nadal to stay in the singles group, but so far he is doing well.

Djokovic’s first-round match was much easier than Nadal’s clash with Fucsovics. The Serb beat Ebden 6-0, 6-1 in less than an hour on Saturday. That short match time could be beneficial for Djokovic because he will enter Monday’s meeting more rested than his opponent, who will be playing just 24 hours after his last match.

If Monday’s match is the last time the two teams meet, it could be a fitting end to their historic rivalry.

Djokovic holds a 30-29 overall lead over Nadal, so Monday’s matchup will be a chance for him to even the score. While Djokovic has a slight edge in the all-time matchups, Nadal has been somewhat dominant over Djokovic at Roland Garros, the site of the Olympics, with an 8-2 lead.

Nadal has won two Olympic gold medals for Spain; in singles in 2008 and in doubles in 2016. Djokovic’s only medal, which has become legendary throughout his career, was the Bronze he won in singles in 2008.

Djokovic comes into Monday’s meeting with a slight edge over Nadal after a dominant first-round display. Like Nadal, Djokovic has struggled with injuries this year but appeared healthy and fresh to recover from his showing at Wimbledon in the weeks since.

While Nadal struggled on Sunday, it’s hard to imagine he won’t be hot against his opponent on Monday, and whether the injuries he’s been battling against this season come into play on clay could be the deciding factor.

Monday’s match is expected to be closely contested, but Djokovic is likely to beat Nadal for the last time.

Guess: Djokovic in 3