Dominant Djokovic Advances as Nadal’s Olympic Singles Journey Ends

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Rafael Nadal – Novak Djokovic (1-6, 4-6)

The two have had countless memorable matches throughout their careers. Together, the duo has claimed 46(!) Grand Slam titles.

But during the games in Paris, it was clear from the first shot that it was the one-year-younger Djokovic who had the upper hand.

– I am very relieved. Everything went my way with 6-1 in the first set and a 4-0 lead in the second set. I got a bit too comfortable. I got a bit sloppy, and you can’t give such opportunities to Nadal because he will come back, especially on this court,” Djokovic said to Discovery after the victory.

Today’s match was the 60th time they have faced each other on a tennis court.

– I think we will greatly appreciate this match. For our rivalry, but also for the sport itself. There was a lot of attention and interest around our match. Unfortunately for him, he wasn’t at his best, but I did everything I could to make him uncomfortable on the court, Djokovic told Discovery.

Despite a heroic comeback in the second set, Nadal must acknowledge that his singles career in the Olympics is over.

The Spaniard is still competing in the doubles tournament alongside Carlos Alcaraz.

The Spanish duo advanced from the first round in doubles on Saturday, winning 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 against the Argentinians Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni.

The next challenge is the Dutchmen Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof. That match will not take place until Tuesday.

Superb Djokovic

The Serb took off with the first five games before Nadal got a consolation game and reduced it to 5-1, but Djokovic easily secured the first set with 6-1.

– It is very deserved. Rafael Nadal hasn’t really kept up with the pace here, said Discovery’s commentator Christer Francke.

The trend continued in the second set. The Serb quickly went up 4-0 and was well on his way to the third round.

Fought Back

The Spaniard received a lot of support from the audience at the Philippe Chatrier arena where he has secured an incredible 14 Roland-Garros titles.

And the support gave the Spaniard a lift.

Nadal showed why he has been at the top of tennis for many years, managing to fight back to 4-4.

But the comeback stopped there.

Djokovic broke to lead 5-4 and could serve out the set and match to 6-4.

– Novak Djokovic is clearly the best player out there today. Nadal sometimes reaches the level in the other sets, but there is no doubt here today, Francke said.

The Only Thing Djokovic is Missing

Nadal has previously won both the doubles and singles tournament in the Olympics. The tennis icon won singles in Beijing 2008 and won doubles alongside Marc López in Rio de Janeiro eight years later.

Djokovic has only secured bronze in the Olympics, which he accomplished in 2008 in Beijing. In the semifinals, he lost to Nadal. Both in the Olympics in London 2012 and in 2021 in Tokyo, Djokovic ended up with the bitter fourth place.

Olympic gold is the only title Djokovic lacks in his career.

The match in the Olympics was the first encounter between Nadal and Djokovic since Roland-Garros in 2022. At that time, Nadal won in four sets on his way to his 22nd and so far last Grand Slam title. In the final, he defeated Casper Ruud.