Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will kick off their Olympic campaigns during first-round action on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro. Djokovic is facing Juan Martin Del Potro, while Nadal is beginning his comeback against Federico Delbonis.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. Juan Martin Del Potro
Djokovic and Del Potro will be squaring off for the 15th time in their careers when they collide at the Olympics–again–on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro. The familiar foes faced each other in the bronze-medal match at the 2012 London Games, where Del Potro triumphed 7-5, 6-4 on the grass courts of the All-England Club. Djokovic, however, is dominating the head-to-head series 11-3 and he has won six of their seven previous hard-court encounters (not including one retirement). Due mostly to Del Potro’s extensive wrist-injury problems, these two Grand Slam champions have not met since the 2013 World Tour Finals, an event that saw the Serb prevail 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 during round-robin action.
Del Potro’s 2016 comeback from his latest wrist surgery has been slow but steady. The 27-year-old Argentine is 13-8 for the season and his recent grass-court swing included a semifinal showing in Stuttgart and a third-round performance at Wimbledon. Del Potro got adjusted to the Olympic courts on Saturday, when he teamed up with Maximo Gonzalez to win their first doubles match 6-4, 7-5 over the Australian duo of Chris Guccione and John Peers. Djokovic bounced back from a shocking Wimbledon loss to Sam Querrey by lifting another Masters 1000 trophy at the Rogers Cup. Having settled for bronze at the 2008 Beijing Olympics before missing out on a medal in London, Djokovic should be more than motivated in Rio. That is bad news for Del Potro, for whom this obviously an extremely bad draw.
Pick: Djokovic in 2
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(3) Rafael Nadal vs. Federico Delbonis
Nadal will be taking the court for the first time since round two of the French Open when he begins his bid for a second career gold medal. The Spaniard kicked off his effort for a 10th title at Roland Garros by destroying Sam Groth and Facundo Bagnis, but he suddenly withdrew because of a wrist problem. Nadal missed Wimbledon and everything else in between the French Open and the Olympics, but he appears to be good to go for Rio. After all, not only is he signed up for singles but he is also competing in the two doubles disciplines (men’s with Marc Lopez and mixed with Garbine Muguruza).
Up first for Nadal on Sunday is a third career meeting with Delbonis. Their two previous encounters resulted in clay-court beatdowns in Nadal’s favor; he cruised 6-3, 6-2 at the 2013 Vina Del Mar event before rolling 6-1, 6-1 last season in Buenos Aires. Delbonis is in the midst of a stellar season that has him at No. 43 in the rankings thanks to a 23-14 ATP-level record. The left-handed Argentine enjoyed a consistently strong buildup to Roland Garros that featured a second career title in Marrakech, but starting in Paris he has lost first-round matches at three consecutive tournaments. Even with Nadal’s rust, that streak will almost certainly extend to four.
Pick: Nadal in 2
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Oh God! Novak broke down crying as he left the court! I have never seen Novak break down like that!
Yes… he had a similar break down in 2008 Beijing…. This one was probably his last chance and the games mean so much to these players…..the gold medal continues to elude both Novak and Fed.
Delpo well deserved! What a magnificent showing from the Argentine! He produced some atomic tennis to beat Novak! Great match, great effort from both! So emotional! This is history!
wow!! AMAZING!! THIS is the power of Juan Martin!! WOW
Novak in tears….probably his last chance.. Delpo has had his number at the Olympic games! The world’s best beaten by the forgotten one
vr,
I can’t remember seeing Novak so devastated. So you don’t think he can try again in 4 years? He’s 29 now and that would make him 33 in the next Olympics. I didn’t even think about the possibility that this could be his last shot at the gold medal. No golden slam for him.
That would explain the emotion from him. He wasn’t that emotional when he was knocked out early in Wimbledon.
This opens things up now. Hopefully, Rafa can keep playing well.
I said in the tournament preview that it is the first round and with Delpo ‘you never know’. It proved to be the case. DIdn’t expect this level of consistency of course but I am not shocked…surprised but shocked.
amazing
Well deserved win for Delpo, great to see him back on the big stage. High level, great atmosphere, match of the year for me thus far.
That was BRUTAL!
Tennis gods were not really in favour of Nole!
A 1st rounder with ‘the gentle giant’ was always going to be tough.
Really heartbroken to see Nole crying like that in the end!
Really gutted!
OTOH, was really great to see JMDP back with his brand of tennis!
Tennis always feels richer with Delpo in the mix.
Hope he can make a good run of this.
I found myself thinking – what might have been – with Delpo. If not for two wrist surgeries, what might he have done in this sport.
He reminded us all of the power and brilliance of his tennis. That forehand! He just came out and played like he believed he could beat Novak.
I wonder if Delpo can keep it up.
Competition! Welcome back old friend. How I’ve missed you! Shame it had to be a 1st round match. Was worthy of a final. Terrible luck for Djokovic, both the draw and Delpo really had some lucky netcords in the 1st set breaker.
Too bad didnt get to see any match. I just have to say WOW about Delpo’s win. Poor Djoko, I remember he did cry after losing the SF match vs Rafa at 2008 Beijing Olympics. At least at that time he won a bronze medal in singles.
He still has hope for a gold this Olympics in doubles.
A terrific match. Some fans were saying Djok has shoulder issues. It did not prevent him from winning Toronto! Delpo is playing great! Can Rafa beat this Delpo?
He wanted it TOO much. I’ve made the observation many times: he and Roger share the same flaw when the glittering prizes are in sight.
I don’t agree about Novak wanting it too much. He just won RG, completing the career slam and winning four slams in a row. That is quite an accomplishment. Then came the surprise early exit at Wimbledon.
After finally realizing one if his biggest goals, I don’t know that it’s about wanting that Olympic good too much. Obviously, it’s missing from his resume, but he has done so much lately in his career.
I tend to go with vr’s take, to the effect that thus was a very tough first round opponent who played the match of his life.
Of course, we can all have our own opinion on it. Novak’s reaction after losing pretty much showed how much it meant to him.
I didn’t initially think about this being his last chance to get an Olympic gold medal. He’s been healthy in his career, but he will be 33 years old in four years, out of his prime.
Djokovic will definitely have a good chance in 2020
That’s encouraging to hear. Novak has stayed healthy in his career. Looking at how devastated he was, I hope he gets another chance.
NNY, I want to clarify that I didn’t mean to say that this is Djokovic’s last Olympics. If things go well for him, he will be a contender in 2020 as well. Four years is a long long time so you never know but his fitness level is surely there.
NNY:
You say you don’t agree with me he wanted it too much but go on to acknowledge he was devastated by the loss. I doubt very much a medal of any colour in the doubles will make up for not having an Olympic gold in singles.
ed,
Every time I have a different opinion, it seems to bother you. I did admit that Novak wanted it, but you said that he wanted it too much and that’s why he lost.
I did watch the match from start to finish and my sense is that Novak did play like he wanted it, but in the end it was Delpo’s superior play that got him the win. He just took it away from Novak. I can’t remember the last time I saw Delpo play this well. I did not expect him to get the win, although I did think he had the potential to make it interesting considering it was a first round match.
I also said in my response that everyone is free to have their own opinion. That was meant specifically for you, so you would understand that I respect your point of view. I merely was speaking as to how I saw the match play out. I do not think that Novak choked it away. In fact, he was brilliant in fighting off several break point opportunities that Delpo had in the first set. He was fighting very hard in the match and usually when that happens, Novak will get the win. But Delpo really hung tough and wouldn’t give up and just played better and better, especially in the latter stages of the second set and then especially in the TB.
I just wanted to make the point that I feel Delpo deserves full credit for going out there and giving his best effort and playing like a man who thought he could win and made it happen.
I do appreciate that even if I disagree with you, you are always civil in response. That means a lot. I really would just like you to understand that it’s not a case of disagreeing for the sake of it or anything like that. I am just not sure that the match ultimately turned on Novak wanting it too much in this instance.
Yes, I did acknowledge how devastated Novak was after he lost. That was very surprising to me. So it did reveal how much it meant to him. Novak gave it his best and normally that should be enough. But Delpo reminded those watching of what he is capable of when he brings his best. I thought he turned the clock back to 2009. It was quite something to see.
Whether he can keep it up or not, remains to be seen. But again as always, I do respect your point of view. 🙂
Djokovic was playing amazing tennis for a first rnd match! It waa just that his opponent played like a man possessed. It was too tough a match for a first rnd and Delpo was playing without much pressure.
So, Djokovic didn’t choke or anything at all… he did a fine job.
Agreed.
vr,
Thanks again for a fair analysis. I thought Novak played very well and fought hard for this win. But Delpo just seemed to go to another level kate in the second set. It’s not line it was an easy match that either guy could dominate. Two TB’s! It doesn’t get any closer that that.
I thought one key was no breaks of serve in this match. The fact that Delpo served well enough to not get broken by a great returner like Novak, says a lot. Delpo was able to keep the pressure on Novak.
Paul Annacone was doing the commentary, which made it a real treat to watch! The commentators have been saying for a while now that Delpo can’t hit the backhand the way he used to because of the wrist. But that forehand did so much damage and was such a formidable weapon!
It was a quality match to watch for anyone who loves great tennis.
I thought that when Delpo failed to convert several break chances in the first set, that it might come back to haunt him. So often, that’s the way it works with Novak. He fights off break chances and then somehow manages to get the break and find a way to win the set. That’s why I think Delpo’s great serving was such an important part of this win. Delpo stayed strong mentally and took care of his serve. The commentators said that Novak never even had a break point against Delpo.
Also, in the first set Novak seemed to be targeting Delpo’s backhand quite a bit. The commentators made note of it and said that the way Delpo hits the backhand now, it can’t hurt Novak. But in targeting the backhand, that seemed to open up the forehand for Delpo.
Delpo was taking the ball so early and hitting the forehand with so much precision and piwer, that it seemed to take time away from Novak. You rarely see an opponent able to control points and take the match out of novak’s hands. I think that was what Delpo managed to do.
I am still marveling at how well Delpo played and how he has the belief that he could win this match. I think that’s half the battle against Novak.
Good points NNY! Agree with them. And, it wasn’t that Djokovic had the gold medal match on his racket and somehow let it slip away! That is the situation when we have judgments like ‘He wanted it too much’.
Djokovic played really well but how well Delpo played is hard to explain.
You are right about the backhand. Djokovic started attacking it too but Delpo was rock solid. He hardly hit a backhand DTL in the match but kept elongating the rallies until he had a chance hit a forehand. MY GOODNESS, his forehand is godzilla! His footwork is also exceptional and because he knew novak would hit CC backhands, he used to anticipate sometimes and set up his forehand to smash clean inside-in winners. Those were rockets… the best he’s hit his forehand since USO 2009.
I do believe that Djokovic made some tactical mistakes in the second set t.b…. he was under pressure so he chose the wrong approach shot….he approached the Delpo forehand with a backhand DTL and the approach shot were pretty average. Delpo had to hit amazing passing shots but WHY DIDN’T Novak attack the forehand when it mattered most?! Anyway, apart from that, it was a very high quality match.
I hope Rafa can have a great tournament.
I meant he approached the Delpo forehand for two consecutive points in the tie break…
vr,
Thanks for your response. I really enjoyed watching that match. I cannot believe how well Delpo played and that forehand! I had almost forgotten how devastating that shot can be.
I am sure that Novak wanted this very much. No question about it. But he just ran into a Delpo who seemed to turn back time.
Delpo was always dangerous even against the top four players. He had the game to take it to everybody. It’s just so unfortunate that Delpo had to have surgery on the other wrist. He was finally back at #5 and seemed to be back for good. His career has been compromised by the wrist surgeries,
The commentators were talking about how Delpo had to decide when and where to play. It will be interesting to see if he can make a run here now.
Of course, I want Rafa to benefit from the absence of Novak. Hopefully, the wrist will hold up and not give him too much pain.
It’s funny that between Rafa and Delpo, whichever player is going to manage his wrist better is going to reach the final? lol
This was deja vu.
“Novak Djokovic cries after his gold medal hopes are crushed by Rafa Nadal. Novak, I’m not even gonna call you Djerkovic tonight because I feel kind of bad for you.”
https://kthanxbye.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/s689493021th2.jpg?w=406
Djokovic crying
https://kthanxbye.wordpress.com/2008/08/16/photo-op-rafa-brings-nole-to-tears/
Novak Djokovic cries on the court after losing to Juan Martin Del Potro at Rio Olympics 2016
“No doubt it’s one of the toughest losses in my life, in my career,” Djokovic told the New York Times after the match. “It’s not easy to handle, especially now just after the match, the wounds are still fresh but you know you have to deal with it. It’s not the first or the last time I’m losing a tennis match but Olympic Games yeah it’s different.”
For Del Potro, this was the sort of night he must have doubted he would ever experience again during those long, frustrating months stuck watching TV in his living room. “It was an amazing match for me,” he said. “I didn’t expect to beat Novak tonight because I know my situation, I know my problems with my backhand and my wrist, but I played an amazing match, my forehand worked very great, my serve was okay and the atmosphere was great too.
“He is a friend on tour,” added Del Potro on the subject of his defeated opponent. “He is a great champion. He is a great person, he told me really kind words in the end and I appreciated it a lot.”
https://tenngrand.com/2016/08/07/olympics-r1-previews-predictions-djokovic-vs-del-potro-nadal-vs-delbonis/#comment-133754
Once again, respect to Djokovic for being so gracious in defeat. It hurt him so badly but the way he embraced Juan Martin at the net was admirable. Delpo said it too that Novak had really nice words for him.
While I am happy Rafa has a better chance now but all respect for his graciousness.
Rafa defeated Delpo in doubles. 🙂
That was Rafa and Marc! who defeated Delpo/Gonzales (I think it was?). I think all the tennis in the last 24 hours finally got to Delpo in the 3rd set. The forehand lost its sting and Rafa found his own zinging shots after netting some shots in the 2nd set.
Never heard of Delpo’s partner before but he had a great 2nd set, very quick and aggressive at the net. (I missed the 1st set, watched the 2nd and 3rd on NBC’s live stream)
Loved Rafa’s reaction to winning! Marc got a kiss on the back of his neck, lol.
The winning moment:
https://twitter.com/fandetv/status/762812591739662341/video/1
🙂
Djoko is out of the Olympic doubles too. M.Melo/B.Soares defeated N.Djokovic/N.Zimonjic 6-4, 6-4.
Wow, so good to see Rafa winning. 🙂 It means so much to him
One more thing: People don’t give Juan Martin enough credit for being a well-rounded player. It is disrespect to call him a ‘giant’ or whatever. Have you seen him volley and cover the net?? He is excellent at the net and hit some superb volleys against Novak! His backhand slice is also a great addition to his game. Wonder how he is able to defend his backhand side better in spite of having a fragile backhand? It is the slice! He has added it to his game because of that. He is able to stay in points longer and he used the slice well against Novak to set up forehands.
I think Delpo is a well-rounded player. His forehand one of the best ever. If he can get his backhand working better and starts going for backhands DTL, he’ll be really really hard to beat.
Having said this, he does have some weaknesses.
Glad to have him back!