On July 30, the Paris Olympics will once again feature many sporting events, including men’s singles tennis. Dailysports experts have prepared their exclusive prediction for the match Novak Djokovic – Dominik Koepfer.

Novak Djokovic

For “Nole” the Olympics is the only big tournament he has never won in his career, everyone realizes that this is the last chance for the Serb to take the “gold”, previously he was a “bronze” medalist back in 2008 in Beijing.

READ MORE:Rafael Nadal Says Novak Djokovic Clear Favourite In Olympics Blockbuster

Djokovic is getting older, it’s normal, the generation of the “big three” has already disintegrated, there are literally a couple of years left to watch them play.

This year the athlete doesn’t even have any tournaments won, although at the last Wimbledon he played in the final, and at other majors he reached the late stages. Now Djokovic is 37 years old, he is the second racket of the world and the record holder in the number of slams won.

At this tournament so far no problems, in the first round defeated Ebden – 6:0, 6:1, and in the second played with Nadal himself, but the Spaniard is not the same, so he managed to win confidently 6:1, 6:4.

Dominik Koepfer

There is not much to say about the German tennis player, he has not had a bright career, and the athlete is already 30 years old. In the world ranking Koepfer is ranked 70th, which corresponds to the level of a strong middle-ranked player. The tennis player had no significant successes this year, the tournament he won in Canberra was a Challenger.

RELATED:‘Beat the C*** Out of the Kids’ – Novak Djokovic Dubbed to Play for Another Decade by Former NFL Pro in a Mind-Boggling Analysis

Getting to the third round of the Olympics can already be considered a good result, Koepfer wins his matches in two sets, first he beat Raonic with great difficulty – 6:7, 7:6, 7:6, and then passed the Italian Arnaldi – 3:6, 6:2, 6:1. Miracles happen at such tournaments, but no one expects a sensation from the German.

Interesting facts about the match and history of head-to-head meetings

• The rivals played each other only once, it was four years ago at the tournament in Rome, then Kepfer lost
• in a decent fight – 3:6, 6:4, 3:6.

• UPDATE:Novak Djokovic  brutal announcement as tennis world calls out awful scenes in Wimbledon final

• Djokovic has won 12 matches out of 15 on the ground this season, Koepfer has 6 wins in 14 meetings.
• Bookmakers’ quotes: W1 – 1.03, W2 – 14.25.

Novak Djokovic vs Dominik Koepfer Prediction

No one doubts the victory of Djokovic, the main question is whether it will be quick and easy. Koepfer can impose a struggle, after all, he is an experienced player, on the ground he is not impressive this year. I’ll risk betting on a total of more than 17.5 games, the German is able to resist.

Novak Djokovic will be the favourite when they clash a

Rafael Nadal insists Novak Djokovic will be the favourite when they clash at the Paris Olympics, after the Spaniard battled to victory over Marton Fucsovics in the first round on Sunday. Nadal had left his participation in the singles in doubt until the last minute because of a thigh injury, and was made to work hard for his 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 victory. The 38-year-old — who has won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles on the clay of Roland Garros — believes old rival Djokovic will be favourite when they meet for the 60th time.

READ MORE:Jannik Sinner withdraws from Paris Olympics with tonsillitis to leave Novak Djokovic as top men seed

“Situations are completely different for him, for me. He’s being very competitive. I was not being very competitive for the last two years, so in that case, I think probably he is the clear favourite,” said Nadal, who holds an 8-2 head-to-head advantage over the Serb at Roland Garros.

“I’m going to try my best to bring the best to the court and then let’s see how far I can go and how many problems I can create for him.”

The latest chapter of a generation-defining rivalry, and perhaps the final act, will bring Nadal and Djokovic full circle — the duo having met as teenagers in their very first meeting in the 2006 Roland Garros quarter-finals.

Outside round-robin matches in the season-ending ATP Finals, their second-round encounter at the Olympics will be the earliest they have ever met at a tournament.

“It has always been super special to play against Novak, no doubt about that,” said Nadal. “But the difference is normally we have been playing for finals or for semi-finals.

“Of course, it’s an Olympics… every match is super special. But it’s true that at the same time, almost every single match that I played against Novak, I arrive at it with a different situation that I am today.

“So that makes the match more difficult for me and more unpredictable. But, I always have hope, I always believe.”

RELATED:‘Beat the C*** Out of the Kids’ – Novak Djokovic Dubbed to Play for Another Decade by Former NFL Pro in a Mind-Boggling Analysis

‘Fighting spirit’

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

He reached the final in Bastad last weekend but suffered a setback in training on Wednesday, jeopardising his hopes of appearing at a fifth Olympics.

Nadal teamed up with Carlos Alcaraz in the doubles on Saturday, but he had his right thigh heavily bandaged as the pair won their first-round match in straight sets.

His leg sported similar strapping against Fucsovics, but Nadal said he was feeling “good”. “Bit tired, of course. I mean, a long match, but at the same time… it was a good test,” said Nadal.

“The good thing is I was able to play at a good level of tennis for a while. That always gives hope. And then (the) negative stuff is I was not able to hold that great level.”

UPDATE:Novak Djokovic one of four big names missing as Laver Cup Team Europe line-up confirmed

Fucsovics suggested the Spaniard still had what it takes to beat Djokovic, who leads the career head-to-head 30-29.

“He was fighting until the end, so his fighting spirit is still at the top still, but he’s not at his best playing level,” said Fucsovics.

“But if he has a good day he can beat him (Djokovic) still.”

The ongoing season brought a series of struggles for Novak Djokovic. Along with failing to attain even a single title so far on his journey, the Serb met some terrible setbacks and injuries, experiencing a fair share of hardships. However, despite the concerns, the wounded lion is consistently making efforts to beat the young competitors. While it is him against the ATP star in their early 20s, an NFL pro recently came forward to drop a surprising statement.

READ MORE:Gold for Carlos Alcaraz, Paris tears for Novak Djokovic – our Olympic predictions

The debate surrounding Novak Djokovic’s ability to compete with young tennis stars is currently captivating the attention of fans and players alike. Among the open discussions, Dustin Fox, a former NFL cornerback turned businessperson and tennis enthusiast, came forward to drop his verdict on the topic as a guest on the Tennis Channel: Inside In-Podcast.

“I think Novak just rides this thing until he can’t because I mean he’ll still be really good you know and can still get in the heads. His mental game, like that dude I think can play to least 50 if he wanted to and he’d be able to beat the c**p out of these kids. I mean not like the Alcaraz of the world, but like you know some other. He’d still get to, you know, quarterfinals maybe, you know, late in his career,” Fox said, firmly believing in the strong levels that the Serb could rise up to.

Fox’s comments came just days after Novak Djokovic’s defeat against Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon finals. Alcaraz won in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4), and therefore claimed his second consecutive Wimbledon title. Although Djokovic saved three match points and broke Alcaraz’s serve for the first time while serving for the crown at 5-4 in the third, Alcaraz managed to rise up, finally winning the tiebreak.

RELATED:Novak Djokovic helps Mercedes George Russell longevity bid

Djokovic, who had to undergo knee surgery just over a month ago, admitted to the levels of his rival. “I wasn’t up to par. Credit to Carlos for playing some complete tennis. From the back of the court, on serve, he had it all today. I tried to push him and saved the three match points, extended the match a little bit, but it wasn’t meant to be really. He was an absolutely deserved winner today,” he said, in a post-match interview.

A majority of the players from Novak Djokovic’s peak era have either retired or are not actively participating. While the battle is currently being fought between the Serb and the young champs, Dustin Fox’s belief in Djokovic’s mental strength adds a dimension to the ongoing debate. Although there are people who still believe in the Serb’s potential to cover up, there are others who doubt his ability to stand in the competition.

Andy Roddick marks Novak Djokovic’s Wimbledon campaign as “absurd”

The whole tennis community was surprised to see Novak Djokovic’s speedy recovery. The Serb incurred a meniscus tear during his run for the Roland Garros title and therefore had to retire with disappointment and immense pain. While his entry at Wimbledon was enough of a surprise, the fact that he made it to the finals seemed to be “absurd” for many.

UPDATE:Wimbledon Men’s Day 6 Predictions Including Novak Djokovic Vs Alexei Popyrin

“Surgery, no fitness, not a lot of tennis, no matches. Finals at Wimbledon. Gave yourself a look at the basket. Props to him. Novak had no reps, no fitness, all he was trying to do was get healthy enough to play his first round and then after that, healthy enough to play second round, so on and so forth,” Andy Roddick said in a podcast.

Along with gathering the drastic events that he had to go through, the former pro also dropped a conclusion, taking a hit at the fact that he even made it to the finals. “It is absurd that Novak was able to make the finals of this event,” the American added.

It is time for Novak Djokovic to step on the red dirt once again. While it was the same arena that gave him a major scare, will he be able to regain confidence?

The big guns of men’s tennis are preparing to battle it out for the only title that will bring them no financial reward – but Olympic gold always means so much more.

The 2024 Paris Olympics are about to get underway, with Roland Garros set to look very different from the stage we are used to when it hosts the French Open each year.

READ MORE:Novak Djokovic helps Mercedes George Russell longevity bid

With new signage around the court and the Olympic rings confirming this will be a very special few days in Paris, the tennis world will hold its breath as the race for a gold medal hots up.

Here are our big five predictions for what to expect at the Olympics, with one outstanding performer the clear favourite.

ALCARAZ THE KING

Can anyone stop Carlos Alcaraz?

The answer to that question at the French Open and Wimbledon was a convincing no, as the 21-year-old Spaniard joined a select group of players who completed the clay court and grass court Grand Slam double.

Now Alcaraz will head into the Olympics as the red-hot favourite to take the gold medal, with his recent form confirming he is the man to beat.

Alcaraz beat top seed Jannik Sinner in the French Open semi-finals and then found a way past reigning Olympic champion Alexander Zverev in the final.

RELATED:Novak Djokovic one of four big names missing as Laver Cup Team Europe line-up confirmed

He then bullied Novak Djokovic into a comprehensive defeat in the Wimbledon final, confirming his status as the form player in the men’s game.

Verdict: If Alcaraz is not jaded after his heroics over the last few weeks, he should win the gold medal.

NOVAK’S FINAL MISSION 

Novak Djokovic has made no secret of his desire to win an Olympic gold medal in Paris, but he doesn’t appear to be in the form to turn his dream into a reality.

Djokovic will return to the court where he sustained a knee injury last month, which forced him pull out of the French Open prior to his quarter-final match.

Surgery on that knee followed and while he fought back impressively to reach the Wimbledon final, he was clearly a long ay short of his best as Alcaraz condemned him to a crushing defeat in the final.

His form of 2024 does not suggest Djokovic’s Olympic dream will be realised in his final Games, but this champion can never be written off.

Verdict: Djokovic admits he is not playing at the same level as Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner and he needs huge upturn to challenge for the gold medal.

SINNER’S CHALLENGE

World No 1 Jannik Sinner has already secured glory while playing for Italy, with his Davis Cup heroics in Malaga last November including a win against Djokovic in the semi-final.

He should have recovered from the illness that hampered him in his Wimbledon quarter-final against Daniil Medvedev, but there have been a few cracks appearing in his armour in recent weeks.

Sinner’s defeat against Alcaraz at the French Open confirmed he may be a step behind the Spaniard right now and he has not always enjoyed his best form on clay courts.

Verdict: A medal for Sinner, but not the gold.

THE DEFENDING CHAMPION

Alexander Zverev should be a real contender in Paris.

The German claimed a gold medal in the 2020 Games and will fancy his chances of a repeat on a Paris court where he has played some of best tennis.

UPDATE:Wimbledon Men’s Day 6 Predictions Including Novak Djokovic Vs Alexei Popyrin

In best-of-three-set matches, Zverev can beat anyone in the world if his monster serve if firing and it will be fascinating to see where he is positioned in the draw now that he is in the top four of the ATP rankings.

Verdict: The biggest challenger to Alcaraz.

WHO TO LOOK OUT FOR

France’s Arthur Fils is a player to watch, after his impressive run of results in the ATP 500 event in Hamburg.

Then there is USA’s Taylor Fritz, who will fancy his chances of challenging for a medal after a fine run of form, with his performances on clay courts this year adding to his confidence.

There will also be a lot of eyes on Spain’s Rafael Nadal, after he showed an encouraging return of form in a tournament in Bastad, Sweden over the last few days.

A medal in singles may be too much to ask for Nadal, but he should form a potent partnership with Alcaraz in the doubles event.

Casper Ruud has to be a contender as he has an impressive record on the French Open clay, but his ability to get over the winning line when it matters most remains a concern.