Rafael Nadal has come too far to let injury concerns hamper his goals. The Spaniard is currently marking his attendance at the Paris Olympics. More importantly, the Games are his final attempt at decorating his nation with a gold medal. However, his run-in with injuries this year casted doubts over his singles participation at the quadrennial event. Well, not anymore.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion has declared that he will play in one of the season’s most anticipated matches – a clash with arch-nemesis Novak Djokovic. Furthermore, Rafa addressed the tennis community about his injury concerns after heavily discussing his options with his team at the Olympic Village. For the unversed, Nadal joined forces with countryman Carlos Alcaraz for a doubles at the Games. The compatriots have downed the Argentine pair of Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez in straight sets.

While talking to the reporters in Paris, the Spaniard divulged his thoughts before entering a nerve-racking encounter with Djokovic. Nadal claims he will deliver his level-best and hoped that the face-off counted as a “special night” in Paris. “I don’t know what level I can be at. I will do my best to create problems for him. It is uncertain what will happen, but I will go in with the necessary attitude. If inspiration comes, I will be working so that it will be a special night.”

Rafa faced Hungary’s Marton Fuscovics in his singles opener. Although he overcame the Hungarian’s challenge 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, he was seen wearing a bandage on his thigh as a preventative measure for problems in his right thigh. The Spaniard later addressed injury speculations and provided fans with a skeptical update. “I decided to play after talking to the team. I’ve worked a lot with physiotherapy these days and it’s holding up. Although there is uncertainty of how the muscle will react, which does not seem to intervene very directly in the movements.”

However, Nadal isn’t the one only looking forward to the much-awaited spectacle. Previously, Djokovic expressed his wishes to lock horns with the former World No. 1.

Novak Djokovic wishes to face Rafael Nadal for a ‘probable last dance’

The legendary tennis duo will square off for the record 60th time at the Summer Olympics. Ahead of facing his longtime rival, Novak Djokovic wished for a ‘probable last dance’ with the Spaniard. Their last encounter came at the 2022 Roland Garros where Nadal sent the Serb packing in the clay court event’s quarterfinal, and eventually claimed his 14th French Open title.

In an interview with ‘Access Hollywood’, World No. 2 Djokovic expressed his thoughts on a potential second-round clash with the 38-year-old. “If we get to meet, expect some fireworks on the court. Like the good old times. I hope we get to meet because there will probably be one last dance for both of us.”

In conclusion, it will be interesting to witness the pair’s on-court confrontation in Paris. While Rafa enjoys the upper hand on his favored surface, the red clay, Djokovic has successfully manifested an impressive form. What are your thoughts on their face-off? Do let us know in the comments.