The 2024 Paris Olympics might be the last time the tennis world sees a few legends in the game. Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will turn 37 next year, while Rafael Nadal will be 38 years old. Djokovic and Murray had made their debut at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Murray is the only tennis player in history to have won two gold medals in singles and also won the silver medal in mixed doubles at London in 2012.
The Brit defeated Roger Federer at the 2012 London Olympics and defeated Juan Martin Del Potro at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Murray withdrew from singles at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics due to an injury but reached the quarterfinals in doubles. The three-time grand slam said that he would love to play in Paris and mostly would be his farewell at the event.
Murray will be playing in his fifth Olympics if he participates next year in Paris. He said, “Some athletes have been preparing for the event for four years. For tennis, it sits beside the grand slams.” Murray said he was disappointed at Tokyo due to the injury and was close to winning a medal in doubles. Alongside him will be Djokovic, who is chasing his first gold medal at the Olympics.
One last hope for Novak Djokovic at 2024 Paris Olympics
The Olympic event has been unkind to Djokovic. He has participated in four Olympics so far but has only been able to win a bronze medal at the event. The bronze medal feat sounds unimpressive because the Serbian has conquered every other possible event multiple times in the sport. Djokovic lost to Nadal in the semifinals at Bejing and won the match against James Blake to take the third spot.
The world No.1 said that it will be difficult to play next season as the French Open, Olympics, and Wimbledon will be happening one after the other. He also said that it’s a high honor to be able to represent his country at the event. Nadal will also be the favorite if he is in form as it’s on clay, and Carlos Alcaraz will also be making his debut at the prestigious event.
🥇 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴…
Could #Paris2024 be the moment Novak Djokovic wins Olympic gold and completes tennis? 🎾✅ pic.twitter.com/gffzx2x75n
— Eurosport (@eurosport) September 21, 2023
The players can expect the conditions to be tough at the Paris Olympics. Djokovic will try to get enough rest during the June-July months as he will have to achieve peak form in three major events at that time. The 36-year-old would want to finish his career with the trophies and a medal hanging on his neck. The Paris Olympics will hold a special place in tennis as multiple legends will play for the last time at the event.