Kerber's farewell tour begins without a hammer
**The Olympic tennis tournament marks Angelique Kerber's farewell from the big sports stage. But an early exit looms. The former world number one faces Naomi Osaka in the first round. Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev has better luck.
Kerber, who was personally present for the "Draw-Ceremony" in Paris, plays against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka of Japan in the first round. It could be her last singles match in her career. Kerber announced before the draw ceremony that she would retire after the Paris Games. "For me, it's a really special tournament. I want to enjoy the time here," she said.
For Zverev, who won the Olympics in Tokyo 2021, it's on to his mission for Olympic gold 2.0 first against the unseeded Spanish player Jaume Munar. In the later rounds, there are no major names in Zverev's section. He'll face Novak Djokovic, the world number two from Serbia, in the semifinals, and Carlos Alcaraz, the top favorite from Spain, won't appear until the final.**
After the withdrawal of Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner from Italy, Zverev from Hamburg is the fourth-ranked player in the tournament on Court Roland Garros and seeded third. Six wins are needed for the title, and the champions will be crowned in the middle weekend of the Games. Rafael Nadal faces Marton Fucsovics from Hungary in his farewell tour – it could already be a showdown of the two most successful tennis players in history against Djokovic in round two.**
- Despite Angelique Kerber's early exit prediction, tennis greats like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are also set to compete in the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, adding to the tournament's star-studded lineup.
- German player Alexander Zverev, who won the Olympic gold in tennis at the Tokyo 2021 Games, aims to defend his title at the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, potentially facing off against fellow tennis legends like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the later rounds.
- As the draw for the Olympic tennis tournament unfolds, tennis fans around the world are eagerly anticipating clashes between top players, such as Rafael Nadal facing Osaka or Kerber's potential farewell match against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in the first round.
