Djokovic Dominates in Olympic Opener, Eyes Rivalry with Nadal
- Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz both won their opening matches at the Paris Olympics, showcasing their formidable skills.
- Alcaraz defeated Lebanon's Hady Habib easily, while Djokovic expressed hope of overcoming his previous Olympic disappointments.
- This performance sets a positive tone for both players as they aim for Olympic success.
Novak Djokovic commenced his quest for a first Olympic gold medal with a commanding 6-0, 6-1 victory over Australia's Matthew Ebden at Roland Garros. The match, which lasted under an hour, positions Djokovic for a potential second-round clash with his longtime rival, Rafael Nadal. Djokovic, the top seed following Jannik Sinner's withdrawal due to tonsillitis, expressed dissatisfaction with Ebden's participation, questioning the appropriateness of a 36-year-old doubles player competing in singles at the Summer Games. The Serbian star's win marks his 14th Olympic victory, the highest for any male player since tennis rejoined the Olympics in 1988. Despite his success, Djokovic has faced challenges at the Olympics, having previously lost in the semifinals twice and only securing a bronze medal in Beijing in 2008. His comments reflect a broader concern about the integrity of the competition, as he emphasized that Ebden's lack of recent singles experience should have precluded him from participating. Nadal, who has claimed 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles at the French Open and holds two Olympic gold medals, is set to begin his singles campaign on Sunday. Djokovic acknowledged the significance of a potential matchup with Nadal, hinting it could be one of their last encounters on a major stage. He expressed eagerness for the challenge, underscoring the excitement it would generate among fans. The logistical complexities of the Olympic Games were also highlighted, with officials noting the difficulties in accommodating last-minute replacements among the 10,500 athletes from 206 National Olympic Committees.