Novak Djokovic enjoyed the benefit of a covered court for Saturday’s rainy start to the Paris Olympic event, with the former No. 1 crushing Australian doubles specialist Matt Ebden with the loss of just one game.
The Serb who is missing an Olympic honour from his vast title collection, was joined in the second round by Carlos Alcaraz, with the winner of the last two Wimbledon editions also getting kid glove treatment as a leading seed with a showcase opener also under the closed roof.
The Spaniard advanced 6-3, 6-1 over Lebanese minnow Hadi Habib at the Roland Garros venue normally used for the French Open.
Ebden, whose singles ranking is outside the Top 1,000, last competed in the speciality two years ago before switching his attention to doubles.
He was no match for Djokovic, who mowed him down in 54 minutes, including six breaks of serve on the clay.
Ebden, aged 36 to the 3 of Djokovic, treated the match as an unofficial retirement.
“I was lucky in my singles career. I played against Federer, Nadal, Murray and played in all the big centre courts around the world,” the said.
“But I never played Chatrier (court) and never played Novak, so some miracle happened and I got to play Novak on Chatrier.. the perfect way to retire my singles officially.”
Djokovic, who underwent keyhole knee surgery after Roland Garros and managed a losing Wimbledon final to Alcaraz, earned his 14th match win at the Games, giving him the lead over Roger Federer (13) and two-time singles gold-medallist Andy Murray on 12.
“I feel very good,” he said. “I feel more ready now than I was before Wimbledon,” the Serb said.
“I really do feel better prepared. Olympics from the beginning of the year was one of the highest goals and objectives and priorities for this year.
“Let’s see how it goes.”
