PARIS — As people around the world showered Rafael Nadal with flowers at the Summer Olympics, the famed tennis champion tried to convince them Saturday night that his career is far from over.
After delivering a strong, energetic and at times vintage performance in the first round of men's doubles matches at Roland Garros, Nadal hinted that he doesn't think the book on his long-standing rivalry with fellow Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic is about to be closed.
Asked if he was ready for a possible “last dance” with Djokovic in a singles competition during the Olympics, Nadal made a quick joke.
“Who says this is the last dance?” he said.
Nadal, who is representing Spain at the Olympics, made the comments to English-speaking media in the mixed zone after the match following his and doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz's 7-6 (4), 6-4 victory over Argentines Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez.
The comment came moments after Nadal also expressed uncertainty about even playing Sunday's first round of singles against Hungary's Marton Fucsovics.
According to The Associated Press, Nadal said: “I don't know if I'm going to play or not.”
He added that he wanted to consult with his team after Saturday's action “and then make the smartest decision possible to give us the best chance of bringing [a] medal at home.”
But if Nadal wants to win a singles medal again — and even more so if he wants to face Djokovic for the 60th time in his career — he will have to play on Sunday. A win over Fucsovics would advance Nadal to a second-round match against Djokovic on Monday or Tuesday.
Earlier on Saturday, Djokovic, who represents his native Serbia, said he was excited about their potential final showdown.
“If we do meet, it will probably be the last time we meet on a big stage,” Djokovic said. “So I'm sure people will enjoy it. I'm looking forward to it and I'll be ready for that match.”
Djokovic leads their all-time head-to-head series, 30-29. If he and Nadal meet in the second round, it would be their first meeting in the main draw of a tour-level event.
The last time they met, Nadal beat Djokovic in four sets in a 2022 French Open quarter-final match that lasted over four hours. Nadal won that Open and claimed his 14th victory on the same clay courts that host the Olympic competition.
“Playing against him is like playing a final at any tournament,” Djokovic said. “Especially here, knowing what he's achieved and what he's done for our sport, but especially here at Roland Garros, his record speaks for itself.”
In Saturday's match, Nadal and Alcaraz played supporting and leading roles. From the moment they both stepped onto the indoor courts during the presentations, many of the spectators expressed their support.
At least twice during breaks in the match, the predominantly Spanish crowd erupted into chants of “Rafa! Rafa! Rafa!”
“[It was] “It was an exciting night, an electrifying night, with an incredible crowd,” Nadal said. “Playing with Carlos on this court was very special. I'm very happy with the victory. It gives us the opportunity to move forward.”
The two would often take time between matches to talk strategy. The veteran Nadal was not always the one leading the conversations.
Nadal, one of several non-French athletes who took part in the torch relay portion of Friday night's Opening Ceremony, has long been considered the king of Spanish tennis. Just as he nears the end of his legendary career, the 21-year-old Alcaraz has taken the world stage by storm and looks to be the heir to Nadal's throne after winning four major tournaments in the past three years.
Partly because of Alcaraz's rapid rise, Nadal wanted to play doubles with him in Paris. But does playing his lifelong idol put pressure on Alcaraz?
“There is no pressure, but there are nerves,” said Alcaraz. “A lot.”
