Novak Djokovic Defeats Rafael Nadal In Possible Last Meeting

Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal in their possible last meeting.

Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal in straight sets. / Amber Searls-USA TODAY Sports

The outcome of the match was never in question, but that did not prevent it from being enjoyable for tennis fans. On Monday morning, Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal in the second round of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.

Djokovic won the lopsided match in straight sets: 6-1, 6-4. While Nadal was outmatched, it did not stop the 38-year-old from putting on a show in front of fans at Court Philippe-Chatrier.

After the match, Djokovic said, "At 6-1, 4-0, I got a little bit too comfortable. At 4-1, I played a little sloppy service game, and you can't give any chances to Nadal because he is going to use them and come back. Especially on this court."

Djokovic continued, "The crowd getting involved but it was a crucial game at 4-4, trying to break his serve and then serve against the wind with new balls. It was a very close encounter but I am very pleased with the way I played."

Rafa Nadal & Novak Djokovic share a hug at the net after playing each other for possibly the final time at the Olympics.

46 Grand Slams between them.

So many legendary battles.

They’ve both won. They’ve both lost.

But what they’ve created together through their rivalry… pic.twitter.com/tHwmXkMMlq

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) July 29, 2024

The match was reminiscent of so many battles between Nadal and Djokovic. If this was their final meeting, the stats give the edge to Djokovic.

They faced each other 60 times, with Djokovic leading 31–29 overall. Despite losing today, Nadal still owns a commanding 20-9 record against Djokovic on clay courts.

Speaking of clay courts, it is perfectly fitting that Nadal's final Olympics appearance comes at Roland Garros. Nadal created a whole generation of fans thanks to his stellar play on clay. Nadal has a record 14 French Open titles, more than any other player in the Open Era.

Novak Djokovic beats Rafael Nadal!!

Nadal has lost just five matches at Roland Garros out of 117 🤯 Three of them have been to Djokovic.#Paris2024 #Olympics #BBCOlympics pic.twitter.com/jYdAT658bk

— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) July 29, 2024

Now that Djokovic has had his "last dance" with Nadal in the Olympics, he can focus on winning his first gold medal. It was one of the few achievements the 37-year-old has not reached in his legendary career.

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Further Reading: Frances Tiafoe described working with his "super-focused" new coach.