Aussie Olympics star jokingly pleads with fan to replace him against Novak Djokovic before epic celebration

NOVAK DJOKOVIC sent a frightening warning as he began his quest for that elusive Olympic gold medal – but believes his opponent shouldn’t have even been on the court.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion, 37, crushed Australian doubles specialist and late alternate Matt Ebden 6-0 6-1 in just 53 minutes under the Court Philippe-Chatrier roof.

And his 12th consecutive victory at Roland Garros – unbeaten since losing to Rafael Nadal in the 2022 French Open – was one of the easiest of his career, and the Ebden’s last-ever professional singles match. 

In the second set, Ebden offered his racquet for a fan to take his place before eventually getting on the board at 4-1, hilariously celebrating by putting his shirt over his head as the players shared a joke at the net.

But Djokovic, still sporting his grey knee support, knows he has got serious business to do in Paris as he desperately chases the only major honour eluding him in his illustrious career.

The Serb will face 14-time French Open winner Nadal in round two, if the veteran King of Clay takes to the court and beats Marton Fucsovics. 

Djokovic said: “Olympics was one of the highest goals and priorities for this year. 

“Playing Nadal is like a final really in any tournament, particularly here at Roland Garros, knowing what he has achieved and his record speaks for itself. 

“I think 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. I’m looking forward to it.”

Australian Open doubles holder Ebden, 36, does not have a singles ranking and last won a Grand Slam singles match in January 2019, not even playing a singles match for two years.

But the world No3 doubles ace got into the Olympics singles draw thanks to Andy Murray’s withdrawal, with the ITF choosing someone from the doubles draw rather than drafting in a singles specialist. 

Djokovic moaned: “If somebody withdraws then you call doubles players to play singles. I don’t think it’s a good image for the sport, to be honest. 

“There were a lot of singles players that had plenty of time. There were alternates that could have been called to come. I don’t get it. 

“I really hope the ITF and Olympics will consider changing this rule because it’s tough on Matt because he hasn’t played a singles practice in two years. He told me this was his last singles match. He’s officially retired.”

Ebden added: “It was a bit of a joke. It’s been two years since my last professional singles match but my wife said I never officially retired so this is me officially retired from singles. What a place to do it on Philippe-Chartier against Novak.

“I said sorry to Novak that I could not give him more of a hit. I was thinking of donuts in my head. 

“It was fun, honestly. The only goal was not to injure myself.”

Should Djokovic beat Nadal or Hungary’s Fucsovics, he will remain on a mouthwatering final collision course with Carlos Alcaraz in what would be a repeat of their Wimbledon showpiece a fortnight ago.

Reigning Wimbledon and French Open champ Alcaraz, seeded No2 behind Djokovic on his Olympics debut, dismantled Lebanon’s Hady Habib 6-3 6-1.