Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal: Djokovic Dominates in Potential Final Showdown at Paris Olympics 2024

The 60th meeting of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s legendary rivalry ended in a 6-1, 6-4 victory for Djokovic, who moved one match closer to winning an Olympic gold medal in Paris. It was less of a tango and more of a pasodoble.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion, facing up against the 22-time major winner Rafael Nadal for the eleventh time since their first meeting at Roland Garros in 2006, withstood a second-set surge to improve his head-to-head record against the Frenchman to 31-29 in just one hour and forty-two minutes.

With his retirement from the game uncertain until after the 2024 season, Rafael Nadal will continue his Olympic career in doubles with fellow countryman Carlos Alcaraz.

The 2024 Olympic torchbearer, who won gold in both singles (2008) and doubles (2016, with Marc Lopez), has played sporadically since the end of the 2022 season. He has missed almost all of 2023 and two of the three main tournaments in 2024.

After losing in the first round of Roland Garros in May, Rafael Nadal decided to continue his preparations on clay by pulling out of Wimbledon last month, keeping an eye on the Olympics. At the Nordea Open, the 38-year-old made his comeback to the game by defeating Mariano Navone in a nearly four-hour battle that sent him to his first final in more than two years.

Entering his first Summer Olympic Games since Rio in 2016, Rafael Nadal defeated Marton Fucsovics of Hungary to secure a thrilling second round matchup with Novak Djokovic. Djokovic began his week in Paris by easily dispatching Australian Matthew Ebden. After suffering a terrifying knee injury and needing surgery, Djokovic, 37, has recovered magnificently. He finished second at Wimbledon to Alcaraz, having to retire from Roland Garros before facing Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals.

Also Read: Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic at Paris Olympics 2024- A Historic Showdown for the Ages

In the match of the day, Djokovic took advantage of Nadal’s movement to his advantage by using drop shots and all-court shotmaking to storm through the first five games. Despite his early success, Nadal—who has been sporting a visible bandage on his thigh all week—was unable to stop Djokovic’s run as the Serb easily won the first set and went on to take a 4-0 lead.

Nadal used a hold to end another five-game losing streak against him and took advantage of a mistake by Djokovic to get his first break of the day. After that, the Spaniard only became more formidable, electrifying the Chatrier audience with a fourth straight victory and tying the match at 4–4 with a superb forehand passing stroke.

Nadal held three break points in a long game that nearly sent the match into a third set, but Djokovic steadied to convert a fourth to take control of the contest and earn himself a chance to serve.

Djokovic earned his first match point thanks to a blunder from Rafael Nadal, and the world number one finished in under two hours. In the third round, Dominik Koepfer or Matteo Arnaldi will be waiting for Djokovic.