Novak Djokovic defeats Rafael Nadal with a score of 6-1, 6-4 at the Paris Olympics
PARIS — PARIS (AP) — Novak Djokovic, who emerged victorious, and Rafael Nadal, who was defeated, encountered at the net and embraced after competing at the Paris Olympics in the 60th — and potentially final — bout of a record-breaking and often captivating rivalry between two tennis legends who share a mutual admiration if not a close camaraderie.
This 6-1, 6-4 win for Djokovic occurred in only the second round of the Summer Games — as opposed to a Grand Slam final, like nine previous face-offs — and it was not the most thrilling competition, other than for a 20-minute period in the second set, when Nadal’s late surge briefly made things competitive after conceding 10 of the initial 11 games.
Following the match, neither Nadal, who is 38, nor Djokovic, 37, were prepared to admit they won’t face each other again, even though that appears probable. Nadal certainly appears close to retiring; he’s had two injury-plagued seasons, underwent hip surgery just over a year ago, and expressed in 2023 that 2024 might be his farewell.
However, he’s not finished at these Olympics, teaming up with Carlos Alcaraz in doubles for Spain, and stated Monday that he’s somewhat fatigued from being asked daily about his future.
“I cannot live every single day with the feeling that it’s going to be, or not going to be, my last match. I come here, I try my best, I play. And when I decide to stop playing, or when I decide to keep going, I will let you know. I don’t know,” Nadal said. “If I feel that I am not competitive enough to keep going or physically I am not … ready to keep going, I will stop, and I will let you know.”
What was evident for the initial 1 1/2 hours against Djokovic is that Nadal was diminished, far from the proficient and always hustling version of himself that claimed a record 14 French Open titles on the same red clay at Roland Garros that is hosting Summer Games matches.
He acknowledged as much after departing Court Philippe Chatrier, where spectators repeatedly attempted to uplift him with chants of “Ra-fa! Ra-fa!”
“Playing against Novak without causing damage to him, and without possessing the legs of 20 years ago, is nearly impossible,” said Nadal, whose right thigh has been bandaged for all of his matches in Paris.
Djokovic was questioned whether this might signify the conclusion of head-to-head competition between the duo.
“Of course it can be, but we don’t know that. It really depends on many different factors,” the Serbian said. “I just hope for the sake of our rivalry, and the sport, in general, that we’ll get to face each other once, maybe a few times, on different surfaces, in different parts of the world, because I feel like it can only benefit the sport. But I don’t know how he feels in his body, what his plans are.”
Djokovic possesses 24 Grand Slam titles, and Nadal 22, the two highest men’s totals in the century-plus history of the sport. Both have been ranked No. 1, and no pair of men has faced each other more frequently in the professional era. They are two-thirds of the so-called Big Three of men’s tennis, alongside Roger Federer, who retired with 20 Slam titles, a group that experienced unparalleled success and sparked endless debates about which is the “GOAT” — “Greatest of All Time.”
However, Nadal, a gold medalist in singles and doubles at past Olympics, and Djokovic, who states that adding a gold to his otherwise illustrious resume is a priority, are accustomed to encountering — and fans are accustomed to observing them — in the latter stages of events. It transpired much earlier this time because while Djokovic is the top seed at the Olympics, Nadal’s ranking is outside the top 150 due to a lack of matches.
The venue was filled, from the media seats where there was jockeying for space, to the highest spots in the upper deck, for what felt like a historic occasion. Rapper Snoop Dogg sat beside tennis icon Billie Jean King; Vogue editor Anna Wintour was with film director Baz Luhrmann.
“You could feel the tension coming into the match, but also incredible hype, incredible atmosphere,” Djokovic said. “There was a lot of interest for this match. People wanted to see it live. People wanted to see it on the TV, as well. I was just very proud to be part of this match.”
Following a lackluster stretch, the tireless Nadal eventually got into his groove, turning it into a competitive affair, which surely no one — least of all Djokovic — found too surprising.
“If you give him time, he can hurt you. We know that. I’ve experienced that in the past,” Djokovic said. “I started to hesitate a little on my shot. He stepped in. The crowd got involved.”
Nadal captured four consecutive games in the second set, including a forehand winner to break to make it 4-all. He raised his left fist, drawing roars from the stands.
That, though, is when Djokovic regained control. He broke right back, then pointed to his left ear while walking to the sideline as if to taunt Nadal’s supporters, and served out the victory.
Part of Nadal’s troubles Monday were caused by not being in tip-top shape. And part of the problem, to be sure, was that Djokovic was mostly the best version of himself, striking the ball crisply, putting it right where he wanted and occasionally using drop shots to set up winners and force Nadal to run a lot.
Djokovic wore a gray sleeve on his right knee, just as he did while making it to the final at Wimbledon three weeks ago. He tore his meniscus during the French Open in early June and had surgery in Paris.
None of that mattered on this warm afternoon under a cloudless sky, with the temperature in the 80s Fahrenheit. Folks in the stands waved fans in an attempt to stay cool; both players wore cold white towels around their necks during changeovers.
“He played much better than me,” Nadal said, “(from) the beginning to the end.”
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AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games