It was crowded and difficult to hear but I believe Nadal was asked if he was ready for his last dance with Djokovic in the singles. He shook his head and responded: “Who said it was last dance?”
"I did my part of the job": Novak Djokovic throws gauntlet down to Rafael Nadal as potential blockbuster tie awaits
ATPSunday, 28 July 2024 at 07:48
They could face off for the final time in their respective careers on Monday with Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on an Olympic Games sized collision course (if the Spaniard gets past Marton Fucsovics) and the gauntlet has been thrown down by the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Djokovic who thrashed Matt Ebden in the opening round and openly criticised the rules that saw the top seed face a doubles specialist who didn't want to play singles said himself that his first match will be his second round.
Nadal though is a question mark. He openly said that he wasn't a fan of the scheduling in Paris and that he wasn't sure whether he would play singles as a result. He has kind of left it on a knife edge whether he would take to the court or not as ever and will leave fans waiting.
So they may not get Nadal v Djokovic merely due to withdrawals as opposed to the Spaniard losing. But for Djokovic it is very much he has done his part and he looks forward to the clash if it ends up happening.
"Yeah there is a great hype around that (potentially meeting Nadal in the second round). I mean, I did my part of the job and obviously he has to win his first round (match) tomorrow. I've got to get ready for that one obviously, it can be a blockbuster," Djokovic said.
"It's one of the matches or one of the events I guess that a lot of people at the Olympics in Paris this year are looking forward to. When the draw came out, we knew that there is a high probability that it might happen, so I'm ready for it. I'm looking forward to our last dance so to say, possibly on this court," Djokovic added.
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- FYI: The term 'snub' is a much overused verb by writers of sensationalist rags. [SNUB: rebuff, ignore, or spurn disdainfully]. That is not the definition of what is going on with frequent withdrawals from tournaments.
mandoist16-09-2024 - No offence, Mr. Lloyd, but where have you been the past two years?? How long have you been a tennis fan? This 'article' may be informative for newbies or fair-weather tennis observers but the majority of fans know the root of the multiple issues within WTA. The #1 issue being the subject of health & well-being which has been (or has attempted to be) addressed with the WTA Elitist council members last season. WTA was extremely dismissive of players' concerns and opposed to such a meeting. Eventually giving-in due to publicity and allowed selective players only -- no rep's, no medical personnel, and no team members. The meeting was a farce as WTA soon after that released an even more hectic schedule... with mandatory tourneys! Guess they weren't taking notes?? BTW: There is a lot missing from this piece concerning "withdrawals". No writer has yet taken the jump to get behind the scenes and dig at the problems -- obvious organizational problems. IMO, the top two issues are WTA's lack of proper attention to health & well-being of its Money-Makers; and Financial Greed. Tip to Mr. Lloyd: there is no "snubbing" when these players withdraw. These women have to take such measures as withdrawing from a tourney, and occasional time-off from the circuit, to protect themselves -- because WTA refuses to take any measures at all (although not allowing matches until sunrise is a start). Surely you can do better than point fingers at players. The finger-pointing should be directed entirely at WTA (and ATP). Be a true journalist, Mr. Lloyd, and research them!!mandoist16-09-2024
- Uh-oh.... Now Raducanu is being forced to compete! Let's see who withdraws next... I wonder??mandoist15-09-2024
- And this is such a shock to WTA?? How many times are they (WTA & ATP) going to keep stepping in their own s*** ???mandoist15-09-2024
- They can go down together!mandoist15-09-2024
