2024 Paris Olympics Tennis 2R - Rafael Nadal (SPN) v/s Novak Djokovic (SRB)

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Here we go.
60th meeting between the two titans.
Last match - 2022 RG QF - Rafa def. Nole 62 46 62 76 (4)
2nd match at the Olympics with Rafa having won the previous one in 2008 at the Beijing event.
Who takes this one?

Rafa is definitely a massive underdog here. He's fallen off sharply due to multiple injuries after that magic run at RG2022, and is ranked outside the top100 now. Djokovic on the other hand is still #2 & just made it to the Wimbledon F.

Vote and discuss. Please be civilized in your talks.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

@weakera @The Blond Blur @The_Order @Djokovic_is_the_best#1

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Nadal in 2! It’s so over for us Djokovic fans!

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

@Rafa4LifeEver getting the thread ready

 

[SonicNirvana]

Vamos!

 

[Nadal - GOAT]

Looks very difficult for Rafa.. he is off the pace and Novak is in pretty good form.

I think easy straight set win for Novak

 

[Winners or Errors]

Nadal will really have to turn back the injury clock to have a chance in this match.

 

[weakera]

 

[GabeT]

Nadal in 2! It’s so over for us Djokovic fans!

Can’t compete with the King of Clay!

 

[Federev]

I’m not able to watch right now. When does it start? Has it started already?

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

@Rafa4LifeEver getting the thread ready

 

[RF-18]

Your thread titles are a cluttery mess. Keep it nice and shorter in the future.

 

[Carax]

Djokovic is favorite, but no matter what, I'll be rooting for Rafa. Ahora y siempre.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Nadal in 2! It’s so over for us Djokovic fans!

Shut the hell up, lol. I'd be surprised if Rafa can take more than 4 games per set.

 

[SonicNirvana]

American announcers keep saying it will happen tomorrow. Thats false no?

 

[Rafa the King]

Only chance for Rafa is if he is able to hugely over perform over his current level like he did in 2020 and 2022 to a certain extent. I honestly believe that there is a chance he pulls this off and am very much looking forward to it. I do however wonder that, in case Rafa progresses tomorrow in the doubles, which match he will play first on Tuesday, the singles or the doubles?

Anyway, Rafa in 3. 6-2 3-6 7-5. Vamos!

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Your thread titles are a cluttery mess. Keep it nice and shorter in the future.

Note taken, sir. I'd definitely try to do that in future.

 

[Sport]

Only chance for Rafa is if he is able to hugely over perform over his current level like he did in 2020 and 2022 to a certain extent. I honestly believe that there is a chance he pulls this off and am very much looking forward to it. I do however wonder that, in case Rafa progresses tomorrow in the doubles, which match he will play first on Tuesday, the singles or the doubles?

Anyway, Rafa in 3. 6-2 3-6 7-5. Vamos!

Singles first. If a player is playing both in singles and doubles, he can't play 2 doubles matches in a row without a singles in between.

 

[I Am Finnish]

@Rafa4LifeEver getting the thread ready

 

[I Am Finnish]

Egg wins If @Federer and Del Potro meme during the match

 

[paolo2143]

To be honest there is absolutely zero pressure on Rafa here and to me even if both he and Novak play on for another year or so, I think this is one of Rafa's best chances to win should they meet again.

All pressure on Novak as he is desperate to get to final and get shot at gold medal. Rafa will never get a better shot at beating Novak. He is on his favourite court and surface and Novak is in his poorest form and lowest confidence since RG 2018.

Also best of 3 so more chance of an upset if Rafa can get off to a good start.

Rafa's biggest problem is he ends to stop throwing in so many poor service games at wrong times.

I am going for Novak in 3 tough sets but would not be hugely surprised if Rafa pulled off a win as this is definitely not 2023 or 21 Novak.

If Novak is playing smart he will try and get Rafa on the move as much as possible from word go.

 

[UnforcedTerror]

Another encounter on CLAY lmao

The is Philippe Chatrier so Bull is fortunate here. I can see Bull taking a set against Slumpovic who should be motivated.

 

[I Am Finnish]

Tuesday is the match?

 

[ND-13]

This should not count in their h2h if Nadal is not in proper physical shape , which I doubt he is.

 

[djokovic the conqueror]

Djokovic in 2 tough sets.

Let’s see if Nadal will withdraw in fear so he can protect his h2h or if he will bravely take an L.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Only chance for Rafa is if he is able to hugely over perform over his current level like he did in 2020 and 2022 to a certain extent. I honestly believe that there is a chance he pulls this off and am very much looking forward to it. I do however wonder that, in case Rafa progresses tomorrow in the doubles, which match he will play first on Tuesday, the singles or the doubles?

Anyway, Rafa in 3. 6-2 3-6 7-5. Vamos!

Nole is undercooked on clay this year, but Rafa is literally figuring out the elements of his game, so I'd expect the Serb to win.

 

[Airspun]

Rafa in 2, super easy barely an inconvenience! Guaranteed!

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

Djokovic in 2 tough sets.

Let’s see if Nadal will withdraw in fear so he can protect his h2h or if he will bravely take an L.

Rafa is brave and hence faced Djok 7 times in a row from 2015-16.
Going by your logic, Djokovic is a coward who ran away from him in 2017-18.

 

[Airspun]

Djokovic in 2 tough sets.

Let’s see if Nadal will withdraw in fear so he can protect his h2h or if he will bravely take an L.

how about you delete your account and take the L as you cower in fear LOL

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

This should not count in their h2h if Nadal is not in proper physical shape , which I doubt he is.

True. It is remains 30-29 or goes 30-30. Nadal can’t lose in this encounter. Novak has everything to lose here.

 

[Tano]

Nadal in 2! It’s so over for us Djokovic fans!

Only chance for Rafa is if he is able to hugely over perform over his current level like he did in 2020 and 2022 to a certain extent. I honestly believe that there is a chance he pulls this off and am very much looking forward to it. I do however wonder that, in case Rafa progresses tomorrow in the doubles, which match he will play first on Tuesday, the singles or the doubles?

Anyway, Rafa in 3. 6-2 3-6 7-5. Vamos!

When do they play?

 

[I Am Finnish]

2 grandpas, it may be their very last meeting

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Djokovic in 2 tough sets.

Let’s see if Nadal will withdraw in fear so he can protect his h2h or if he will bravely take an L.

Nadal doesn’t fear Djokovic and especially on clay and RG. Djokovic will need to show up in great form or Rafa takes this one.

 

[I Am Finnish]

When do they play?

Think tuesday

 

[Airspun]

if Nadal withdraws expect forum to shut down as haters pounce and use their shcnoudenfreud to make their insecurities and call Nadal afraid even though he's injured, and fake injury haunts both goats accusations.

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

When do they play?

I thought it was Tuesday but it might be tomorrow now. It still not decided yet though

 

[GabeT]

This should not count in their h2h if Nadal is not in proper physical shape , which I doubt he is.

 

[Tano]

Think tuesday

Are they going to play in Paris or Helsinki?

 

[I Am Finnish]

Are they going to play in Paris or Helsinki?

The latter lol

 

[Federer and Del Potro]

I want a 50 page match thread

 

[Niekotokio]

Tomorrow is a hot day. Novak doesn't win. On days like this. At least not this year.

 

[Nappa]

Djokovic in 2. I dont even see Rafa winning more than 4 games

 

[Tano]

I thought it was Tuesday but it might be tomorrow now. It still not decided yet though

Tomorrow Nadal is going to play the doubles with Alcaraz.
The golden boy can afford to play both modalities on the same day, "grandfather" Nadal does not.

 

[I Am Finnish]

I want a 50 page match thread

You better meme

 

[weakera]

Djokovic in 2. I dont even see Rafa winning more than 4 games

That seems extreme

 

[I Am Finnish]

Djokovic in 2. I dont even see Rafa winning more than 4 games

You can't be serious

 

[Rattie]

Tuesday is the match?

https://twitter.com/x/status/1817590939319193818

 

[Tano]

That seems extreme

What was the average speed of Nadal's first serve in his match against Fucsovics?

 

[Djokovic_is_the_best#1]

Nadal is in better form and more battle tested. Djokovic might stretch it to 3 once he wakes up in the 2nd set. I expect a fast start from Rafa!

 

[weakera]

Rafa is not expecting to win,

“Situations are very different for him, for me. He’s very competitive - I have not been for the past two years. […] Let’s see how far I go, how many problems I can create.”