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Novak Djokovic's first-round encounter with Australia's Matt Ebden at the Paris Olympics 2024 was a brief 53-minute affair packed with excitement. Ebden's wholesome personality and Djokovic's elite performance made the match full of iconic moments.
Ebden, a doubles specialist at doubles, was relentlessly challenged by the Serbian. After losing in straight sets 0-6, 1-6, the 36-year-old Australian announced his retirement from singles competition, having not played it regularly since 2021.
Down 0-6, 0-5 in the 24th minute, Ebden appeared to offer his racquet to the fans. Funnily enough, he won his only game in the match soon after that gesture, which brought laughter and a standing ovation from the crowd at the Court Philippe-Chatrier.
After winning his first game, Ebden celebrated by covering his face with his shirt, showcasing his light-hearted and fun-loving side amidst the one-sided contest. Following the match, Ebden took to Instagram to pay tribute to the 24-time Grand Slam champion, saying,
"Safe to say I'm officially retired from singles after that w. ItIt was a pleasure, @djokernole, to share the court with you for one last singleatch on Philippe Chatrier here at the Olympics. All the best for the rest of the tournament (and if it's not one of our Ausies) I. hope you get the Gold."
The pair shared a friendly moment at the match's conclusion. Ebden's graciousness in defeat exemplified Olympic spirit, and he candidly acknowledged his limitations. His primary focus, he explained, was injury prevention ahead of the doubles event.
Novak Djokovic unhappy with 'Illogical' rule at Paris Olympics 2024
Novak Djokovic criticized the Olympic committee's entry regulations after his dominant first-round victory over Australia's Matt Ebden. Djokovic easily overpowered Ebden, who struggled with numerous unforced errors and failed to match his opponent's level during extended rallies.
In the post-match interview, Djokovic expressed his sentiments, saying,
"I really don’t understand the rules, they’re really not logical for me – that if somebody withdraws or cancels before or when the draw is made, then you call doubles players to play singles."
This statement comes after Ebden was forced to participate in the singles draw due to high-profile withdrawals, including Jannik Sinner, Andy Murray, and Holger Rune, despite his doubles specialization. Olympic regulations stipulate that late withdrawals are replaced by the highest-ranked doubles players on-site, leading to an unexpected matchup.
Djokovic further emphasized that this system hurt the sport's image and hoped for a rule change by the ITF and Olympic organizers.
