Novak Djokovic defeats rival Rafael Nadal 6-1, 6-4 in second round at Paris Olympics

HOWARD FENDRICH, Associated Press

1 minute ago

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic wipes his face during his match against Spain’s Rafael Nadal in the second round of their men’s singles match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Monday, July 29, 2024, at Roland Garros Stadium in Paris, France. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

PARIS (AP) — Novak Djokovic initially dominated rival Rafael Nadal but then held off a comeback attempt to win 6-1, 6-4 in the second round of the Paris Olympics on Monday. It was the 60th — and likely last — direct match between the two tennis greats.

Djokovic claimed 10 of the first 11 games, with Nadal nowhere near the skilled and ever-hard-working version of himself who won a record 14 French Open trophies on the same red clay at Roland Garros that hosts Summer Games matches. Instead, Nadal was frail, showing every bit of his 38 years and looking like someone who might be ready to retire after playing sparingly over the past two seasons due to a series of injuries, including hip surgery.

Then, suddenly, the indefatigable Nadal took off and attempted to make this match competitive, to no one — least of all Djokovic — particularly surprised. Nadal won four straight games in the second set, including a forehand winner to break the tie and make it 4-4. He raised his left fist, drawing roars from a packed Court Philippe Chatrier crowd who repeatedly tried to encourage him with chants of “Ra-fa! Ra-fa!”

And then Djokovic, a 37-year-old Serb, regained control. He immediately broke back, pointing to his left ear as he walked to the sideline as if to challenge Nadal’s fans. Djokovic then served out the victory before meeting Nadal at the net for a hug.

Djokovic has 24 Grand Slam titles and Nadal has 22, the two highest male totals in the sport’s century-plus history. Both are ranked No. 1, and no pair of men has played each other more often in the professional era. They are two-thirds of the so-called Big Three of men’s tennis, along with Roger Federer, who retired with 20 Slam titles. That trio enjoyed unprecedented success and sparked endless debate over who was the “GOAT” — “Greatest of All Time.”

But Djokovic and Nadal are used to meeting — and fans are used to watching them — in the latter stages of events, including nine major finals. Not just the second round. It happened so early this time because, while Djokovic is the favorite to win the Summer Games, Nadal’s ranking is outside the top 150 due to a lack of matches.

Part of Nadal’s problems on Monday were caused by his lack of top form. His right thigh is taped for the duration of these Olympics, where he will also play doubles for Spain with Carlos Alcaraz.

And part of the problem, no doubt, was that Djokovic was, well, the best version of himself except for that brief period in the second set, gliding along the baseline to get everywhere, hitting shots exactly where he wanted them, 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 when he reached the Wimbledon final three weeks ago. He tore his meniscus at the French Open in early June and underwent surgery in Paris.

None of that mattered on this warm afternoon under a cloudless sky, with the temperature hovering in the high 80s. People in the stands waved at fans in an attempt to stay cool; both players wore cold white towels around their necks during the substitutions.

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AP Olympic Games: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games