Novak Djokovic sends a message to Rafael Nadal ahead of potential Olympics showdown

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal could be on a collision course to meet for what could be one last time at the Olympic Games in Paris – and one half of this enduring rivalry is excited by the prospect.

After world No 1 Jannik Sinner’s pulled from the Paris Games due to illness, 24-time Grand Slam winner Djokovic was awarded the top seed status and he will face Matthew Ebden from Australia in the first round.

Nadal will take on Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics in his opener and if the two legends win their matches they will square off in the round of 32 in what will be their first meeting in two years.

This would be their 60th clash and Djokovic holds a narrow 30-29 lead, but Nadal will be pleased to look back on their most recent meeting as he beat the Serbian in the quarter-final of the 2022 French Open.

“I’m looking forward to this duel in the second round and I’m going to give it my all,” said Djokovic.

“I am aware of the importance of the Olympic Games. I represent my country, which is more responsibility and even more pressure.”

Djokovic also hinted he feels more ready to challenge for his first title of this year than he did at Wimbledon, as he bounced back from knee surgery and lost in the final against Carlos Alcaraz.

“I haven’t yet won a title in this calendar year so people tend to count me out, but it has happened before and it can always change. So it can be a motivator,” he added.

“The expectations are always high, which is something that I cannot change and don’t want to.

“Approaching the Olympic Games is always a huge challenge for me because I put extra expectations and pressure on myself, and of course, the nation as well.”

“The objective is always the highest on. I’m hoping I can perform my best and get to the medal match.”

Novak Djokovic era is over but a respected tennis voice is predicting a bright future

Novak Djokovic popularity crisis is ‘driven by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal fans’

Djokovic has made no secret that one of his big targets for 2024 is Olympic gold, with Sinner’s withdrawal giving him a path towards the final as the top seed.

That has inspired his former coach and tennis legend Boris Becker to suggest his former charge will be ready to silence his doubters by winning the big prize that has eluded him so far in his career.

“He got injured at the French Open and had a small surgery, so to make the final at Wimbledon was close to a miracle,” said Eurosport tennis expert.

“For him, it was vital to come back as quickly as possible as he has said all year that the Olympics in Paris will be one of his big focuses for this year.

“He won’t like that he is losing as much as he has done this year and there is no doubt he will find it frustrating.

“There were reasons why he lost in Melbourne against Jannik Sinner, then he was injured in Paris and was well beaten by an unbelievable player in Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon.

“Early on in the season, he said the Olympics was his main goal and that is one of the reasons why I expect to see a very good Djokovic in Paris.

“Look, the competition never sleeps. Even if you have been used to winning every year, this will not last forever for anybody.

“It is normal that you have new guys like Alcaraz and Sinner and Zverev coming up and knocking at the door. This is evolution.

“What I can say is I’m happy Novak is still around because you want to see the King, which is Novak, playing against the future kings. These are always the best matches.”