Djokovic looks to prolong era with unfinished business at Roland Garros

PARIS : Serbia's Novak Djokovic is adamant he will be the last man standing from tennis's 'Big Four' with twice-Olympic champion Andy Murray bidding farewell to the sport after the Paris Games.

Britain's Murray, who won singles gold in 2012 and 2016, will play only in the doubles before the 37-year-old retires while Djokovic could meet record 14-times French Open champion Rafa Nadal in the second round.

With Roger Federer putting his feet up after retirement in 2022 and Nadal also nearing the end of a long and glorious career, the job of prolonging the 'Big Four' era falls squarely on Djokovic's shoulders.

"I hope that Andy will have the best possible farewell in his last competitive match here in Olympics, for him and his country. He is a legend of our sport, he has been an incredibly important player for tennis globally," Djokovic said.

"Nadal, the same, even more so with all the results and achievements he has had, particularly in this city, in Roland Garros. He still didn't say when his last tournament will be, so hopefully for the sake of the sport, he can keep going.

"I don't have retirement on my mind even though I know a lot of people would love me to retire so that this era is done. But I think as long as there is at least one of us left, I think the era is still going."

On a potential duel with Nadal, Djokovic said: "It will surely be a spectacle, like the good old days when we played on more or less all the big tennis courts around the world.

"I'm also excited for that eventual duel, but I have to overcome the first obstacle and do my best to go as far as possible."

CARRY THE SPORT

Djokovic described youngsters Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as the two best players in the world who will "carry the sport into the