In a thrilling opening round of men's doubles matches at Roland Garros, tennis ace Rafael Nadal showcased his enduring skills and hinted that his illustrious career is far from over. While receiving accolades from fans and fellow athletes at the Summer Olympics in Paris, Nadal made a quip that suggested his rivalry with Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic might not be coming to a close anytime soon.

Responding to a question about a potential "last dance" with Djokovic in singles competition, Nadal playfully replied, "Who says that's the last dance?" His remark, made to English-speaking media in the postmatch mixed zone, came after his formidable performance alongside doubles partner Carlos Alcaraz, securing a triumphant 7-6(4), 6-4 victory over Argentina's Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez.

However, Nadal's comments about his ongoing participation in the Olympics raised some uncertainty. When asked about playing in the opening-round singles competition against Hungary's Marton Fucsovics on Sunday, he confessed, "I don't know if I'm going to play or not." Nadal expressed his intention to consult with his team following Saturday's action and make a well-informed decision that would increase his chances of bringing a medal back home for Spain.

Despite the uncertainty, if Nadal hopes to have a shot at Olympic gold and face Djokovic for the 60th time in their careers, he will need to compete on Sunday. A victory against Fucsovics would propel Nadal into a second-round encounter with Djokovic, potentially scheduled for Monday or Tuesday.

Earlier on Saturday, Djokovic, representing Serbia, expressed his excitement about a potential final showdown with Nadal, stating, "If we get to face each other, it's going to be possibly the last time we're going to face each other on a big stage. So I'm sure that people would enjoy it. I'm looking forward to it, and I'll be ready for that matchup." Djokovic currently holds a narrow lead in their head-to-head series with 30 wins to Nadal's 29.

Should Nadal and Djokovic clash in the second round, it would mark their earliest meeting in any main draw at a tour-level event. The last time they faced each other was in the 2022 French Open quarterfinal, where Nadal emerged victorious after a grueling four-hour battle. Nadal went on to win the tournament, securing his 14th victory on the prestigious clay courts hosting the Olympic competition.

The doubles match between Nadal and Alcaraz was nothing short of spectacular. The pair received thunderous support from the crowd, with chants of "Rafa! Rafa! Rafa!" echoing through the air. Throughout the game, Nadal and Alcaraz engaged in strategic discussions, showcasing a strong partnership and mutual respect.

As one of the torch relay participants in the Opening Ceremonies, Nadal, often hailed as the king of Spanish tennis, has long been considered a legend in the sport. Meanwhile, Alcaraz, at the age of 24, has swiftly risen through the ranks, appearing poised to fill the void left by Nadal in the future. Consequently, Nadal's decision to play doubles with his young compatriot was met with immense excitement.

While the duo's performance has given them a chance to progress further in the Olympics, the question of whether the young Alcaraz feels the pressure of playing alongside his idol remains. Alcaraz candidly admitted, "No pressure, but nerves. A lot."

As the Olympics continue, fans eagerly await Nadal's decision on his singles participation and the potential clash with Djokovic. The outcome of their impending showdown would undoubtedly be one for the history books, adding another remarkable chapter to their longstanding rivalry.