Novak Djokovic continued his pursuit of an elusive first gold medal at the Paris Olympics with a commanding 6-1, 6-4 victory over long-time rival Rafael Nadal on Monday. The match, held on Philippe-Chatrier Court, was the latest chapter in their storied rivalry and drew a passionate crowd, reminiscent of their previous epic encounters.
Djokovic and Nadal, who have competed against each other since their first meeting in 2006, delivered another thrilling contest. Despite Nadal’s historic success on clay, including a remarkable 112-4 record at Roland Garros, the Spaniard could not match Djokovic’s form, especially after Djokovic’s recent strong performance at Wimbledon.
Reflecting on the match, Djokovic expressed his appreciation for their rivalry and the significance of their meeting. "Back in 2006, I don’t think we would have thought we would be playing against each other on the same court at the Olympics," Djokovic noted. "It’s unfortunate for him that he wasn’t at his best, but I did everything I could to make him feel uncomfortable."
If this was indeed Nadal’s final appearance on Court Philippe-Chatrier, the 38-year-old can take solace in the spirited fight he showed in the second set. Nadal, supported by a large contingent of fans waving Spanish flags, found his rhythm late in the match, even breaking Djokovic’s serve to level at 4-4 in the second set. However, Djokovic swiftly regained control, breaking Nadal’s serve once more to secure the win.
Djokovic, who is currently ranked No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings, initially dominated the match, leading 6-1, 4-0. Despite a brief resurgence from Nadal, Djokovic’s focus and strategic play ensured his victory in straight sets. "At 6-1, 4-0, I got a little bit too comfortable," Djokovic admitted. "But I am very pleased with the way I played."
With this victory, Djokovic avenged his loss to Nadal in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, where Nadal claimed the gold medal and Djokovic took bronze. Djokovic's win also tied him with Steffi Graf for the most Olympic singles match wins since Seoul 1988, with 15 victories.
Looking ahead, Djokovic will face either Germany’s Dominik Koepfer or Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi in the third round. Meanwhile, Nadal, who returned to action after missing the grass-court season, will seek to regroup after this setback. Despite his defeat, Nadal’s resilience and the support from his fans underscored the enduring excitement of his rivalry with Djokovic.
The match lasted one hour and 44 minutes, with Djokovic hitting 21 winners and committing 17 unforced errors, demonstrating his superior level of play.