The draw for the Paris 2024 Olympics has been made, and 2008 Olympic singles champion Rafael Nadal will face Marton Fucsovics in the first round.
If Rafa gets through his first match, he will likely meet Novak Djokovic in the second round, with Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz potentially waiting in the semi-final and final, respectively.
Rafa’s potential route to the final:
- First round: Marton Fucsovics
- Second round: Novak Djokovic
- Third round: Arthur Fils
- Quarter-final: Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Semi-final: Alexander Zverev
- Final: Carlos Alcaraz
Here are projected quarter-finals (by seeding):
- Novak Djokovic vs Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Alexander Zverev vs Taylor Fritz
- Daniil Medvedev vs Casper Ruud
- Carlos Alcaraz vs Alex de Minaur
Rafa and Carlos Alcaraz are competing together in the doubles draw. They will open against Argentina’s Máximo González and Andrés Molteni.
Tennis at the Paris 2024 Olympics is set to start with the opening-round matches on 27 July, the day after the Opening Ceremony, and run until 4 August, when the final medal matches take place, including the men’s singles gold medal match. Play will begin each day at 12 p.m.
Good luck, Rafa! Vamos!
Day 1 schedule for Saturday has been released. Rafa and Alcaraz play the first night session on chatrier. Best of luck to them both. I think Rafa will decide after that doubles match whether he will be able to play on Sunday against Fucsovichs given the thigh/hamstring injury.
Rafa achieved the impossible already with 14 Roland garros titles and two Olympic gold medals. Everything else is cake pie and ice cream to enjoy at this point. No pressure at all for Rafa – Forever the people’s champion.
It sure does not look like a randomized draw for Rafa in either the Roland Garros event or the Paris Olympics (to play Zverev in r1 at RG and djokovic in r2 at Olympics). They rigged the draws to get better ratings and exposure.
I just read a headline on X that Rafa has suffered a fresh setback. There is talk that it’s his hamstring 😔 Apparently he didn’t practice with Zverev today as intended. Does anyone know any more about this?
I heard the same thing. Definitely concerning.
Sigh, Rafa can’t catch a break with his body. Hopefully it is precautionary but we will have to see. Rafa is the one of the star attractions at the Paris Games, but we won’t know what this means to his participation until his first match. Thinking optimistic thoughts in the meantime. Carlos moya says Rafa will take the next 48 hours off from training.
Andy Murray and Angelique Kerber have already announced that the Paris Olympics will be their last tennis event before they officially retire from tennis. It’s sad to hear but it’s hard to play into one’s 40s. Andy is 37 and Angelique is 36. Hopefully we can still see Rafa play, but I know Rafa will decide what is best for himself.
With the injury, I wonder if Rafa will play both singles and doubles. Or just focus on the doubles with alcaraz now? It will be very difficult to play in both events with the injury or on the same day. I think the tight tournament schedule suggests that he may have to play both on the same day at times?
Oh no, I’m so sorry to hear this, that Rafa may have some hamstring or thigh injury. I do hope it’s minor and that he will feel fit for the Olympics. Hopefully they are just being cautious (fingers crossed)!! I’m actually not too worried about Djokovic – face it he’s hasn’t has the best season (has he won anything?, I can’t remember). If Rafa is in good form and not hampered by any stress or injury, he will be a challenge for anyone on the red clay!!
Does Rafa’s half play first on Saturday or second on Sunday? Rafa and Djokovic are in the same half of the draw, so they will play on the same day. Rafa should get the honor of playing on chatrier over Djokovic if they can only fit one men’s match on chattier each day. But we will see if they do that because Djokovic is the top seed. If rafa wins his 2nd round match against Djokovic, then Rafa will take the top seed’s position in the draw, which is very fitting. Djokovic will have more pressure to win since this will likely be his final Olympics too (and Djokovic has only one bronze medal after so many Olympic attempts for him), so Rafa will have less pressure and that could translate into a better result for Rafa. Rafa has nothing to lose having already won Olympic gold in Beijing. Would love to see Rafa even the head to head record against Djokovic too. Rafa has a shot to beat Djokovic, even though the oddsmakers don’t seem to think so. Would love to see Rafa prove them wrong again and beat Djokovic again. Rafa has more wins on clay than Djokovic this year. Roland Garros is Rafa’s favorite venue. So many reasons to think Rafa will win this match against Djokovic.
You are misinformed as Rafa is unseeded at this Olympics. If Djokovic loses Alcaraz would be the top seed remaining for as long as he is in it followed by Zverev. It could end up being a moot point as Rafa may have to wd from singles due to injury.
I think Larry W is saying that since Rafa and Djokovic are in the same section of the draw, if Rafa wins the match against Djokovic, then Rafa will have taken over that section of the draw from Djokovic the top seed. Of course, with the injury Rafa picked up, we are not even sure if Rafa will be playing singles now.
Carlos Moya says Rafa will need to take 48 Hours off from training to recover and see how he is after the thigh injury. That suggests Rafa’s 1st singles match is Sunday at the earliest?
My hope for Rafa’s draw was anyone but Novak. I don’t recall seeing a worse draw for Rafa. I just want Rafa to enjoy his last Olympics.
Rafa will be inspired to play his best level of tennis for Spain, himself, and his adoring fans. I think Rafa will do a lot better than most would predict for him at the Paris Olympics.
Rafa will take it one match at a time. There will be a lot of great tennis for Rafa at the Paris Olympics. All eyes will be on that potential 2nd round match with Djokovic. Don’t forget that Djokovic injured himself at Roland Garros this year, and Rafa is improving his own level of tennis.
Enjoy yourself, Rafa. It is a marvel that you are participating this year👏💪🤛👍🍀🎾❤️
Here we go again! Another difficult draw, but give it your best shot Rafa, and who knows what will happen. I’m forever the optimist. Vamos champ!
Hoping for the best for him. Vamos Rafa
Nothing is impossible! Vamos Rafa!