Preview/Schedule 2024 Paris Olympic Games Tennis Day Three - Monday 29 July including Djokovic-Nadal Take 60 as headline act

The schedule has been confirmed for the third day of action (Monday 29 July) at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games which sees one stand-out headline act. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will do battle for the 60th and potentially final time. Our preview looks ahead to Monday 29 July in the hunt for gold.

As well as that headline act, Carlos Alcaraz as well as Iga Swiatek will continue their quests. Jessica Pegula will also battle Elina Svitolina in another standout tie.

Djokovic-Nadal set up headline clash

The landmark tie on Monday 29 July sees Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal face off again for the 60th time in their career and potentially the last. Albeit Nadal is unseeded nowadays so there is every chance they could play again.

But two of the greatest talents of all time in tennis and a tie that is certainly like gold dust especially with both coming towards the twilight of their respective careers.

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Nadal saw off Marton Fucsovics in his opening battle, while for Djokovic he eased past Matthew Ebden. Their last match ironically came at the French Open in 2022 on the same court in which Nadal sealed his final French Open triumph that week. He beat Djokovic in the Quarter-Finals 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6. The Serbian narrowly leads the head-to-head with 30 wins to the Spaniard's 29. Nadal and Djokovic's last four matches have taken place at Roland Garros with the duo exchanging wins. In 2020 though, Nadal famously defeated Djokovic in straight sets dropping just two games as he humiliated his main rival.

Here are some key statistics ahead of the clash.

Key Statistics

Head-to-Head Record

• Total Matches: Djokovic leads 30-29 in their head-to-head matches as of July 2024.
• Grand Slam Matches: Nadal leads 11-7.
• Finals Matches: Djokovic leads 16-13.
• Clay Court Matches: Nadal leads 20-8.
• Hard Court Matches: Djokovic leads 20-7.
• Grass Court Matches: Djokovic leads 3-2.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic - great rivals to renew their rivalry.

Grand Slam Titles

• Rafael Nadal: 22 Grand Slam titles (14 French Open, 2 Wimbledon, 4 US Open, 2 Australian Open).
• Novak Djokovic: 23 Grand Slam titles (10 Australian Open, 3 French Open, 7 Wimbledon, 3 US Open).

ATP Masters Titles

• Rafael Nadal: 36 ATP Masters 1000 titles.
• Novak Djokovic: 39 ATP Masters 1000 titles (holds the record).

ATP Tour Titles

• Rafael Nadal: 92 ATP Tour titles.
• Novak Djokovic: 95 ATP Tour titles.

Career Achievements

• Rafael Nadal:Career Grand Slam (winning all four majors at least once).Olympic Gold Medals: Singles (2008), Doubles (2016).
• Career Grand Slam (winning all four majors at least once).
• Olympic Gold Medals: Singles (2008), Doubles (2016).
• Novak Djokovic:Career Grand Slam (winning all four majors at least once).Double Career Grand Slam (winning all four majors at least twice).Non-calendar year Grand Slam (holding all four majors simultaneously).
• Career Grand Slam (winning all four majors at least once).
• Double Career Grand Slam (winning all four majors at least twice).
• Non-calendar year Grand Slam (holding all four majors simultaneously).

Rankings

• Rafael Nadal:Weeks at No. 1: 209.Year-end No. 1: 5 times.
• Weeks at No. 1: 209.
• Year-end No. 1: 5 times.
• Novak Djokovic:Weeks at No. 1: 389 (holds the record).Year-end No. 1: 7 times (holds the record).
• Weeks at No. 1: 389 (holds the record).
• Year-end No. 1: 7 times (holds the record).

Key Rivalry Moments

• 2012 Australian Open Final: Djokovic defeated Nadal in the longest Grand Slam final in history (5 hours, 53 minutes).
• 2013 French Open Semifinal: Nadal defeated Djokovic in a five-set thriller.
• 2021 French Open Semifinal: Djokovic defeated Nadal in a four-set match, ending Nadal's reign at Roland Garros.

Carlos Alcaraz returns to anchor the remainder of the action.

Swiatek, Alcaraz and Pegula-Svitolina headline remainder of action

While Djokovic v Nadal is the main match to watch, many of the top names also continue their tournaments including the defending champions from Roland Garros.

Top seed Iga Swiatek kicks off the day on Philippe Chatrier in the build up to Nadal v Djokovic when she faces home hero Diane Parry. While after that, the Night Session features two classy ties on paper.

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Carlos Alcaraz returns for a third day in a row to play and will take on Tallon Griekspoor who was troubled at times by Petros Tsitsipas but found his way through. While the standout WTA tie of the day comes from Jessica Pegula facing off against Elina Svitolina. Two players who will likely be there or thereabouts at the end of the tournament for the victor and they conclude proceedings.

A flag-bearer, trailblazer and in the WTA Match of the Day. Elina Svitolina faces Jessica Pegula.

Jasmine Paolini continues her tournament opening up on Suzanne-Lenglen. She faces Magda Linette. Coco Gauff, Casper Ruud and the mixed teams of Alexander Zverev / Laura Siegemund and Mirra Andreeva and Daniil Medvedev also take to the court. Stefanos Tsitsipas, Angelique Kerber, Emma Navarro and Maria Sakkari are also in action. As is Bianca Andreescu facing off against Donna Vekic as well Leylah Fernandez against Cristina Bucsa in a double dose of Canadian action.

Early Years and Initial Inclusion

• 1896 Athens Olympics: Tennis was one of the original sports included in the first modern Olympic Games. Both men's singles and doubles events were featured.
• 1900 Paris Olympics: Women's tennis was introduced, with Charlotte Cooper of Great Britain becoming the first female Olympic champion in history.

Interruption and Absence

• 1924 Paris Olympics: Tennis was featured for the last time before a long hiatus. It was dropped from the Olympic program due to disputes over amateurism rules and other administrative issues.

Reinstatement and Modern Era

• 1988 Seoul Olympics: After a 64-year absence, tennis was reintroduced as a full medal sport. This reinstatement marked the beginning of the modern era of Olympic tennis. Steffi Graf of Germany won the women's singles gold, achieving a "Golden Slam" by winning all four Grand Slam titles and the Olympic gold in the same year.
• 2000 Sydney Olympics: Venus Williams of the United States won both the women's singles and doubles gold medals, with the doubles victory achieved alongside her sister Serena Williams.

Recent Developments

• 2004 Athens to 2016 Rio Olympics: The period saw champions from diverse nations, including Justine Henin (Belgium), Elena Dementieva (Russia), and Andy Murray (Great Britain), who became the first player to win two consecutive singles gold medals (2012 and 2016).
• 2020 Tokyo Olympics: Novak Djokovic, despite being a favorite, was upset in the semi-finals. Alexander Zverev of Germany won the men's singles gold, while Belinda Bencic of Switzerland won the women's singles gold.

Notable Achievements

• Williams Sisters: Serena and Venus Williams have been particularly successful, winning multiple gold medals in both singles and doubles, solidifying their legacy in Olympic tennis history.
• Steffi Graf: Her "Golden Slam" in 1988 remains one of the most remarkable achievements in the history of the sport.

Schedule 2024 Olympic Games

Court Philippe-Chatrier

starting at 12:00

WS 2 (1) SWIATEK Iga (POL) vs (DA) PARRY Diane (FRA)

not before 13:30

MS 2 (1) DJOKOVIC Novak (SRB) vs (DA) NADAL Rafael (ESP)

starting at 19:00

MS 2 (DA) GRIEKSPOOR Tallon (NED) vs (2) ALCARAZ Carlos (ESP)

WS 2 (5) PEGULA Jessica (USA) vs (DA) SVITOLINA Elina (UKR)

Court Suzanne-Lenglen

starting at 12:00

WS 2 (DA) LINETTE Magda (POL) vs (4) PAOLINI Jasmine (ITA)

not before 13:30

WS 2 (ITF) CARLE Maria Lourdes (ARG) vs (2) GAUFF Coco (USA)

MS 2 (6) RUUD Casper (NOR) vs (DA) VAVASSORI Andrea (ITA)

XD 1 (1) SIEGEMUND / ZVEREV (GER) vs (DA) SINIAKOVA / MACHAC (CZE)

XD 1 (DA) ERRANI / VAVASSORI (ITA) vs (DA) ANDREEVA / MEDVEDEV (AIN)

Court Simonne-Mathieu

starting at 12:00

WS 2 (DA) WANG Xinyu (CHN) vs (9) KREJCIKOVA Barbora (CZE)

followed by

MS 2 (DA) CERUNDOLO Francisco (ARG) vs (10) HUMBERT Ugo (FRA)

MS 2 (DA) EVANS Daniel (GBR) vs (8) TSITSIPAS Stefanos (GRE)

MD 1 (DA) POPYRIN / DE MINAUR (AUS) vs (4) KRAJICEK / RAM (USA)

XD 1 (DA) SCHUURS / KOOLHOF (NED) vs (4) SAKKARI / TSITSIPAS (GRE)

Court 14

starting at 12:00

WS 2 (DA) CRISTIAN Jaqueline Adina (ROU) vs (DA) KERBER Angelique (GER)

followed by

WS 2 (7) SAKKARI Maria (GRE) vs (DA) YUAN Yue (CHN)

WS 2 Winner of: vs (8) COLLINS Danielle (USA)

SHERIF Mayar (EGY) vs WOZNIACKI Caroline

(DEN)

MS 2 (12) BAEZ Sebastian (ARG) vs (UP) HASSAN Benjamin (LBN)

MD 1 (3) FRITZ / PAUL (USA) vs (DA) AUGER-ALIASSIME / RAONIC (CAN)

Court 6

starting at 12:00

WS 2 (13) VEKIC Donna (CRO) vs (DA) ANDREESCU Bianca (CAN)

followed by

WS 2 (11) NAVARRO Emma (USA) vs (DA) TOMOVA Viktoriya (BUL)

MS 2 Winner of: vs Winner of:

RAONIC Milos (CAN) vs KOEPFER Dominik

(GER)

ARNALDI Matteo (ITA) vs (14) FILS Arthur

(FRA)

WD 1 (DA) CARLE / PODOROSKA (ARG) vs (DA) KORPATSCH / MARIA (GER)

MD 1 (DA) KOEPFER / STRUFF (GER) vs (7) MEKTIC / PAVIC (CRO)

Court 7

starting at 12:00

WS 2 (DA) BUCSA Cristina (ESP) vs (16) FERNANDEZ Leylah (CAN)

followed by

WS 2 (ITF) OSORIO Camila (COL) vs (DA) YASTREMSKA Dayana (UKR)

WD 1 (8) BUCSA / SORRIBES TORMO (ESP) vs (DA) BRONZETTI / COCCIARETTO (ITA)

WD 1 (DA) LINETTE / ROSOLSKA (POL) vs (7) KOSTYUK / YASTREMSKA (UKR)

XD 1 (DA) SORRIBES TORMO / GRANOLLERS (ESP) vs (2) PEREZ / EBDEN (AUS)

Court 8

starting at 12:00

WS 2 (DA) WANG Xiyu (CHN) vs (15) SHNAIDER Diana (AIN)

followed by

WS 2 (14) HADDAD MAIA Beatriz (BRA) vs (ITF) SCHMIEDLOVA Anna Karolina (SVK)

WD 1 (DA) KICHENOK / KICHENOK (UKR) vs (DA) WANG / ZHENG (CHN)

MD 1 (DA) DARDERI / MUSETTI (ITA) vs (DA) JARRY / TABILO (CHI)

MD 1 (DA) GILLE / VLIEGEN (BEL) vs (8) FILS / HUMBERT (FRA)

Court 11

starting at 12:00

WD 1 (DA) ALEXANDROVA / VESNINA (AIN) vs (DA) MUCHOVA / NOSKOVA (CZE)

followed by

MD 1 (5) SALISBURY / SKUPSKI (GBR) vs (DA) MACHAC / PAVLASEK (CZE)

WD 1 (DA) AOYAMA / SHIBAHARA (JPN) vs (DA) BOGDAN / CRISTIAN (ROU)

WD 1 (DA) YUAN / ZHANG (CHN) vs (6) HADDAD MAIA / STEFANI (BRA)

Court 12

starting at 12:00

MD 1 (DA) MONTEIRO / SEYBOTH WILD (BRA) vs (DA) BUBLIK / NEDOVYESOV (KAZ)

followed by

MS 2 (DA) SAFIULLIN Roman (AIN) vs (DA) ETCHEVERRY Tomas Martin (ARG)

WD 1 (3) ERRANI / PAOLINI (ITA) vs (DA) ROUTLIFFE / SUN (NZL)

MD 1 (DA) HAASE / ROJER (NED) vs (DA) CERUNDOLO / ETCHEVERRY (ARG)

Court 13

starting at 12:00

WS 2 (DA) RUS Arantxa (NED) vs (6) ZHENG Qinwen (CHN)

followed by

WS 2 (DA) BUREL Clara (FRA) vs (12) KOSTYUK Marta (UKR)

WD 1 (DA) RUS / SCHUURS (NED) vs (DA) GARCIA / PARRY (FRA)

WD 1 (5) DABROWSKI / FERNANDEZ (CAN) vs (DA) BUREL / GRACHEVA (FRA)

XD 1 (DA) GARCIA / ROGER-VASSELIN (FRA) vs (DA) SHIBAHARA / NISHIKORI (JPN)