Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal: Schedule, Preview, Predictions for Olympic Matchup

One of the best rivalries in sports will get an Olympic rendition on Monday.

Tennis greats Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will face off in a second-round match at the Paris Olympics after Nadal downed Hungary's Marton Fucsovics on Sunday 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. Djokovic beat Australia's Matthew Ebden in the first round on Saturday.

Nadal and Djokic have faced each other 59 times throughout their careers, including in 29 different tennis tournament finals, but this will be the first time the two legends meet in the Olympics.

Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic Schedule

The Olympic matchup for the ages will take place around 7:30 a.m. ET (1:30 p.m. local) on Monday as the second match played on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Iga Swiatek vs. Dianne Parry is scheduled to begin at noon local time.

Preview

With both stars nearing the end of their careers, this could be one of the last times fans get to see Nadal and Djokovic square off.

Though Nadal has had an injury-ridden past two seasons, he looked like himself on Sunday, moving swiftly and confidently as he picked up the win. It was a last-minute decision for Nadal to remain in the singles bracket, but it's going well so far.

Djokovic's first-round match was much easier than Nadal's battle with Fucsovics. The Serbian cruised past Ebden 6-0, 6-1 in less than an hour on Saturday. That brief match time could pay dividends for Djokovic as he'll come into Monday's meeting well-rested compared to his rival, who will be playing just over 24 hours after his last match.

Should Monday's match be the last time the two play against each other, it could be a fitting end to a historic rivalry.

Djokovic leads Nadal 30-29 all-time, so Monday's meeting will be a chance for him to even their rivalry. While Djokovic has the slight edge in their all-time matchups, Nadal has been somewhat dominant at Roland Garros, the site of the Olympics, leading Djokovic 8-2 at the venue.

In the Olympics, Nadal has won gold for Spain twice, winning in singles in 2008 and doubles in 2016. Djokovic, storied as his career has been, has just one medal to his name, a Bronze in singles in 2008.

After a dominant first-round showing, Djokovic comes into Monday's meeting with a slight edge over Nadal. Like Nadal, Djokovic has dealt with injuries this year, but looked healthy and fresh on Saturday after having weeks to recover from his showing at Wimbledon.

Though Nadal struggled on Sunday, it's hard to imagine he won't come into the match against his rival fired up on Monday. Whether the injuries he has suffered this season will come into play on the clay court could be decisive.

Monday's meeting should be somewhat competitive, but Djokovic will likely be able to beat Nadal for potentially the last time.

Prediction: Djokovic in 3