Rafael Nadal celebrates after beating Hungary's Marton Fucsovics in their men's singles first round tennis match at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, 28 July 2024. Photo: AFP
Spain's Rafa Nadal continued his triumphant return to Roland Garros as he blasted his way into the second round of the Olympic tennis tournament, and set up a blockbuster clash with nemesis Novak Djokovic of Serbia.
That the Nadal-Djokovic clash on Tuesday will not determine gold was the only slip in the Olympic script as the Spaniard found a second wind on a Roland Garros stage on which he has built his legend, to beat Marton Fucsovics 6-1 4-6 6-4.
Later on a hectic second day of action, another one of the former 'big four' prolonged his career for at least another match as Britain's Andy Murray partnered Dan Evans to an incredible first-round doubles win against Japan's Kei Nishikori and Taro Daniel, saving five match points in the process.
Defending singles champion Alexander Zverev rounded off the singles action with a 6-2 6-2 win over Spain's Jaume Munar.
The 38-year-old Nadal played a starring role in Paris's opening ceremony on Friday and a day later grabbed the spotlight again, teaming with Carlos Alcaraz to win an opening doubles.
While the so-called 'Nadalcaraz' dream team has caused excitement, Nadal showed he remains a formidable force without a young sidekick. As he fired a forehand winner on his third match point against Hungary's Fucsovics the crowd roared and stood as one to hail the Mallorca who has thrilled them for two decades.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal pose before the start of a match. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
For sure there have been better performances from Nadal on this showcourt, but few more warmly welcomed.
"I really feel very loved from the French crowd," he said. "I enjoy the fact that I am able to keep playing at this age and have these unforgettable feelings on court, feeling the support and the love of the people.
"Let's see, tomorrow another story, another kind of opponent... Let's see, it's a special place, I'm just going to try to give my best and enjoy as much as possible."
In the women's draw, U.S. team flagbearer Coco Gauff dazzled under the fading sun to sweep aside Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3 6-0 in double-quick time while Chinese sixth seed Qinwen Zheng made a mockery of former French Open runner-up Sara Errani's clay credentials, pummelling the Italian 6-0 6-0.
Ninth seeded Czech Barbora Krejcikova recovered from a slow start to grind her way past Spain's Sara Sorribes Tormo 4-6 6-0 7-6(3). Men's sixth seed Casper Ruud beat Japans Taro Daniel 7-5 6-1 while Stefanos Tsitsipas needed three sets to clamber through against Belgium's Zizou Bergs 7-6 (6) 1-6 6-1.
"I had to fight with sticks and bones to get the win today," was the Greek's colourful verdict.
But the day belonged to Nadal as the 2008 Olympic champion kept alive dreams of a golden sunset to his glorious career.
Nadal's backyard
Such was the atmosphere in Nadal's professional backyard, it seemed not beyond the realms of possibility that even members of Fucsovic's household may have been rooting for him.
The years have not diminished Parisians' love for the man who first stormed the French capital 19 years ago, before maintaining an unprecedented stranglehold on Court Phillippe Chatrier for the better part of two decades.
Rafael Nadal celebrating 11th French Open Title with trophy Photo: Gwendoline Le Goff / Panoramic
Fourteen of his 22 Grand Slam titles came at Roland Garros during that period as Nadal established himself as the undisputed king of clay.
The long hair and pirate pants are long gone but the slingshot forehand is as potent as ever and the Spaniard wielded it with terrifying efficiency to wrap up the first set.
It was bad enough that the Hungarian was fighting a man who had won 112 of his previous 116 matches at Roland Garros, but he was also fighting a nostalgic crowd and, seemingly, destiny.
Fucsovics hauled himself back into the contest as Nadal's range faltered, but the Spaniard broke in the fifth game of the third and final set, before sprinting to the finish.
Nadal was not the only player winding back the clock.
Murray will retire after the Olympics and when he and Evans trailed 9-4 in the deciding match tiebreak it seemed the match rackets were about to be put away for good.
The 37-year-old, along with the inspired Evans, were not done though and reeled off the next seven points, celebrating victory in manic fashion.
"It wasn't like 'Oh my God my career is about to be over," Murray said.
"It was like where am I going to serve and how am I going to execute. That was it really."
- Reuters
