Rafael Nadal Green Light For Paris Olympics 2024 Singles As Andy Murray Prepares For Final Bow

Rafael Nadal will attempt to set up an Olympic Games blockbuster against Novak Djokovic on Sunday after setting aside injury concerns as Andy Murray prepared for what could be the final match of his career. Nadal, who faces Hungary's Marton Fucsovics in the first round, won his opening doubles alongside Carlos Alcaraz on Saturday, but had his right thigh heavily bandaged. "The issue of the bandage is cumbersome, but it is also an issue of prevention," said Spain captain David Ferrer. "We will see when the match is over how it evolves but the important thing is that today Rafa has warmed up, that he is ready to play."

On Saturday, Nadal had cast doubt on his participation in the singles, insisting he would "make the smartest decision that I can to have the best chance of bringing a medal home".

Nadal, a singles gold medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and doubles title-winner at Rio four years later, is playing just his seventh tournament of 2024.

Before suffering a thigh injury in training in Paris, he had battled a hip problem and sat out Wimbledon.

Nadal has won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles in Paris but, at 38, time is ticking for the Spaniard, who this year suffered his earliest exit from the French Open.

He is unseeded at the Games and a win over 83rd-ranked Fucsovics would pit him against top seed Djokovic in the second round, in what would be the pair's 60th meeting.

They have played 10 times at Roland Garros.

"Roland Garros is the most special place in the world of tennis for me," said Nadal.

Later Sunday, former world number one and three-time Grand Slam title winner Andy Murray plays what could be the final match of his career.

The 37-year-old has already confirmed that the Paris Olympics will be his last