Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal in possible ending to rivalry

“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.” said Rafael Nadal

PARIS — In a contest that might be the swan song of a storied rivalry, Novak Djokovic triumphed over Rafael Nadal at the Paris Olympics, claiming a 6-1, 6-4 victory. The match, their 60th encounter, was far from the grandeur of their past Grand Slam finals but was nonetheless imbued with the reverence of their shared history, marked by a warm embrace at the net—an emblem of mutual respect rather than intimate camaraderie.

Novak Djokovic :

This bout, unfolding in the early rounds rather than the finals, diverged from their usual high-stakes showdowns, lacking the scintillation of their previous meetings. It only briefly hinted at the competitive spirit that has defined their encounters, particularly during a 20-minute stretch in the second set when Nadal momentarily rallied, winning four games consecutively before Djokovic reasserted control.

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Post-match, neither athlete, both now in their late 30s, definitively ruled out future duels, though the possibility looms that this could be their final clash. Nadal, now 38, has been beset by injuries, including a hip surgery over a year ago, and has openly contemplated retirement, hinting that 2024 might mark the end of his illustrious career. Nonetheless, he remains active in these Games, partnering with Carlos Alcaraz in doubles, and expressed weariness over constant inquiries about his retirement plans.

“I can’t live each day thinking about whether it will be my last match or not,” Nadal mused. “I come here, give my best, play. When I decide to stop, I’ll let you know. I don’t know yet,” he added. “If I feel I’m no longer competitive or physically unable to continue, I’ll step away, and you’ll be the first to know.”

Throughout the match, it was evident that Nadal was not at his peak. The Nadal who once dominated Roland Garros, claiming a record 14 French Open titles on this very red clay, was not present. The crowd, chanting “Ra-fa! Ra-fa!” in hopes of rekindling his former prowess, could not will him back to his prime.

“Facing Novak without causing him problems, and without the agility of my younger days, is almost impossible,” Nadal conceded, his right thigh visibly taped.

Djokovic, reflecting on the possibility of this being their last match-up, was non-committal but hopeful. “It could be, but we don’t know. It depends on many variables,” Djokovic remarked. “I hope for the sake of our rivalry and the sport, we get to compete again, maybe in different venues, on various surfaces. It’s beneficial for tennis. But I don’t know how he’s feeling physically or what his future plans are.”

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While acknowledging his respect for Nadal, Djokovic downplayed the notion of a deep personal connection. “It’s hard to be close as the greatest rivals. You don’t want to give away too much about your life or emotions because it might expose you,” Djokovic explained. “Perhaps that’s why we haven’t connected on a deeper level. But who knows, once our careers are over, we might see things differently and appreciate the special moments we’ve shared.”

Djokovic and Nadal, holding 24 and 22 Grand Slam titles respectively, are two-thirds of the so-called “big three” of men’s tennis, alongside Roger Federer, who retired with 20 major titles. Their rivalry has sparked endless debates about the greatest of all time (GOAT) in tennis. Yet, unlike their typical matches, which often occur in the latter stages of tournaments, this encounter happened early due to Nadal’s current ranking outside the top 150, a result of his sparse match play.

The arena was filled with anticipation, from journalists vying for space to spectators packed in the upper tiers, eager to witness what felt like a historic event. Celebrities such as rapper Snoop Dogg, tennis legend Billie Jean King, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, and filmmaker Baz Luhrmann were among the attendees.

“You could feel the tension and excitement,” Djokovic said. “There was a lot of interest in this match. People wanted to see it live or on TV. I’m just proud to have been part of it.”

Despite a subdued start, Nadal managed to inject some competitiveness into the match, which Djokovic anticipated. “If you give him time, he can still be dangerous. I’ve experienced that before,” Djokovic noted. “I hesitated with my shots, and he took advantage. The crowd got into it.”

Nadal briefly rallied, winning four games in a row in the second set and breaking Djokovic to level at 4-all, raising his fist to the roaring crowd. However, Djokovic quickly reasserted dominance, breaking back and silencing the crowd’s enthusiasm with a gesture to his ear, before sealing the victory with a precise serve.

Nadal’s struggles on Monday were partly due to his physical condition and partly because Djokovic was in top form, executing his game plan with precision, including the use of drop shots to tire Nadal. “He played better than me from start to finish,” Nadal admitted, acknowledging Djokovic’s superiority on the day.