Paris 2024 men’s singles draw: 5 key takeaways – ft. Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz
The men’s singles draw at Paris 2024 is set, and there are plenty of key talking points to unpack.
Ahead of action starting on Saturday, we dive into action and look at five key takeaways that the Olympic draw gods have thrown up.
Djokovic vs Nadal looms
There is no doubt that the potential second-round match between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal is the highlight of the men’s draw.
Djokovic will be the favourite to beat Matt Ebden while Nadal should be backed to beat Marton Fucosvics – though it is hard to predict Nadal’s form too much.
Should they meet, it would be the 60th meeting between the two, and perhaps the final clash between the two greatest male players in history – ending the most-played rivalry on the ATP Tour.
Djokovic’s tough path
Nadal aside, this is not a kind draw for the world No 2 as he looks to capture the one title that has so far eluded him.
Assuming he navigates his first two matches, the top seed is projected to face 14th seed and home favourite Arthur Fils in round three – the Frenchman fresh off a significant triumph in Hamburg.
That would not be easy for Djokovic, nor would a potential quarter-final against eighth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas or a semi-final against third seed Alexander Zverev – who defeated him at that stage in Tokyo.
Djokovic will not have a smooth ride into the draw, and will certainly need to find something extra to capture a first title of 2024.
Alcaraz handed kind draw
In contrast, second seed Carlos Alcaraz is now an even heavier favourite to add Olympic gold to his French Open and Wimbledon titles earlier in the summer – after the Spaniard was handed a kind path.
World No 3 Alcaraz faces world No 275 Hady Habib in round one, before a round two encounter against Tallon Griekspoor or Cameron Norrie – two players he should beat comfortably on this surface.
A potential round three against 15th seed Alejandro Tabilo is followed by a projected quarter-final against Alex de Minaur and a semi-final versus fourth seed Daniil Medvedev.
That is much nicer on paper than what Djokovic or even reigning champion Zverev face in the top half, and it is hard to see who can stop the Spaniard on his Olympic debut.
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Blockbuster second quarter
After a strong 2024 season, Tokyo gold medallist and third seed Zverev heads into Paris as a leading contender to triumph once again.
But the German, runner-up at Roland Garros this summer, is in one of the more fascinating parts of the men’s draw.
A round one clash versus Jaume Munar is an awkward but ultimately passable test for him, but danger could lurk further ahead.
Sixteenth seed Nicolas Jarry is his projected round three opponent – in a potential rematch of the Rome final – but dangers also lurk lower down.
After beating Zverev at Wimbledon, seventh seed Taylor Fritz could again face him in the last eight.
However, the American has to beat Alexander Bublik first, while Jack Draper and 11th seed Lorenzo Musetti also lurk in this quarter.
Tough time for home favourites
A strong home nation is always an advantage at an Olympic Games, but the Frenchmen have not been dealt with kindly by the draw gods here.
French No 1 and 10th seed Ugo Humbert has a tricky opener against Fabian Marozsan, and could then face Francisco Cerundolo – and then sixth seed Casper Ruud.
Fils faces that round three contest against Djokovic, but would have to beat Matteo Arnaldi first, while Gael Monfils faces Musetti, and Corentin Moutet faces Sumit Nagal.
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