Novak Djokovic overpowers Rafael Nadal in Olympic renewal of old rivalry

Novak Djokovic had promised fireworks for this latest – and quite possibly last – instalment of one of tennis’ longest rivalries, but this clash between two kings did not quite live up to its blockbuster billing. The lop-sided nature of the Serbian’s 6-1, 6-4 victory all but confirmed that this could be the final time we see these two greats of the game face each other across the net.

A whole 18 years since Djokovic and Rafael Nadal met in Paris for the first time, here were a pair of veterans enjoying one final hit-about under the blazing sun in the city where it all started. News of their match-up in the second round of the Paris Olympics had sent the tennis world into meltdown, but what felt like a full-circle moment quickly morphed into a one-sided affair.

For Nadal, it was all but certainly his last singles match at an Olympics and he left the court to raucous applause. In an illustration of his supremacy in this arena, this was just his fifth defeat at Roland Garros in 117 matches, with three of those against Djokovic.

With a combined age of 75, and sharing 46 grand slams between them, one  player was a clear level above the other in a match that had more of a ceremonial feel. These two giants have traditionally met at the business end of tournaments. This was a second-round match at an Olympics. While it did not have the magic of a semi-final or final, it did at least bring out the best in Nadal, whose lack of match sharpness was quickly exposed.

“Playing against Novak without creating damage to him, without having the legs of 20 years ago, is almost impossible now,” he lamented afterwards.

Djokovic had accepted the possibility that this was the so-called ‘last dance’ between the pair. But Nadal was more defensive when that suggestion was put to him a few days ago. “Who says it’s the last dance?” he said, with a quizzical raised eyebrow, sending the tennis rumour mill whirring.

But with heavy strapping to his right thigh – a battle scar which told its own sorry story of his recent injury-hit seasons – Nadal looked off the pace and had no answers to Djokovic’s bludgeoning forehands. The Serbian flew into a commanding lead and threatened to inflict a blockbuster bagel over his long-time opponent, although it would not come to pass as Nadal claimed the penultimate game of the opening set.

The Spaniard continued chasing shadows around Court Philippe-Chatrier, showing every one of his 38 years, until a vibrant second set when he showed there was life in the old dog yet. These are the environs where he has always felt most at home – he has a statue on the grounds in tribute to his 14 French Open titles – and there was no way he was going to be humbled in another one-sided set.

Harnessing the energy from a partisan crowd, he fleetingly looked as if he could send the match to a third-set decider after winning four consecutive games to level at 4-4 as Djokovic, visibly irked by the crowd, briefly lost his mojo. After coughing up a double fault at 4-2, Nadal seized upon the much-needed momentum and closed out a crowd-pleasing point in a thrilling rally that saw the pair exchange overhead volleys before Djokovic crushed a return long to the delight of the crowd.

Moments later, they were booing when the Serb broke and closed out victory to continue his march to a first Olympic gold – the one accolade that has thus far eluded him in his illustrious career.

“You could feel the tension coming into the match, but also incredible hype, incredible atmosphere,” said Djokovic, who brought out his trademark ‘violin’ celebration, a tribute to his daughter Tara who is learning to play the instrument. “I was just very proud to be part of this match.”

Nadal will return to Roland Garros on Tuesday in the men’s doubles alongside Carlos Alcaraz, but swatted away questions over his pending retirement, despite previously saying 2024 will be his last season. “I have been playing on these courts for 20 years, fighting for the most important things. I’ve achieved much more than I dreamed of,” he said. “If that’s the last match here, I’ll be at peace.”

Djokovic 6-1, 6-4 Nadal: as it happened, below

03:05 PM BST

Thanks for following the blog with us

Rafael Nadal had a few moments but couldn’t roll back the years. Novak Djokovic marches on. That’ll do it for our blog, Fiona Tomas’s report appears above now. Cheers.

02:43 PM BST

Novak Djokovic speaks on Discovery+

“I am very relieved. Everything looked like it was going my way at 6-1, 4-0 and I was getting too comfortable out there maybe and I played a sloppy service game at 4-1 and you cannot give any chances to Nadal because he is going to use them, he is going to come back. Especially on this court. The crowd getting involved was tough.

But the crucial game was at 4-4 in the second, last game with the old balls so try to break his serve and then serve with the wind and the new balls. It was a very close encounter especially in the second.

Back in 2006 I don’t think either of us would have thought we would be playing here nearly 20 years later in the Olympic games. I think we will come eventually to appreciate this match very much, not just for our rivalry but for the sport.

“Unfortunate for him he was not at his best but I did everything I possibly can to make him uncomfortable.”

02:37 PM BST

Novak Djokovic wins 6-1, 6-4

Nadal waves at the applause of the crowd but exits quite quickly. Novak Djokovic takes his time, and takes off his shirt, changes it. He’s doing his violin thing again. Hits a few balls into the crowd.

Djokovic carved out fully 12 break point opportunities and took five of them. Nadal actually served the better, Djokovic only got 60% of his first serves in. He hits 23 winners and there were occasions where he seemed to have so much time it was a matter of him deciding between two or three good options. Nadal, brave and determined as ever, hung on but while neither of these men is the force of old, Djokovic 2024 is nearer the top than Rafael and the best man won on the day, no doubt.

02:31 PM BST

Djokovic 6-1, 6-4 Nadal

It’s 15-15. Can Nadal produce one more superhuman feat here?

Djokovic ace down the middle for 30-15.

Although Rafa wins the next one, his service return for the following point lands loopy and long.

It is 40-30 and Djokovic serves for the match... an ace out wide and that is game, set and match to Novak Djokovic.

02:22 PM BST

Djokovic* 6-1, 5-4 Nadal

Nadal’s own serve is under pressure at 0-30 and there’s no better time for the ace he has just produced! But the great man has now attempted a high tariff running passing groundstroke that was never really looking remotely like going in. It’s 15-40.

He saves the first BP and no goes serve and volley for the next one. Significant cojones as ever. Battles back to 40-40.

But he’s now facing a fourth break point and BANG! Djokovic finally produces the drop shot he has been looing for, a cruel beauty to it as it dies on the French clay that Nadal has made his own. Drop shot winner, break of serve, and Djokovic is now a game away from victory.

Novak Djokovic breaks and will serve for the match.

“There were audible boos around the court as both players made their way back to their chairs after Djokovic to go up 5-4. He’s got a bit of his mojo back and it’s irked the crowd. You’d fancy him to close out the set here.”

02:13 PM BST

Djokovic 6-1, 4-4 Nadal*

Djokovic is serving at 0-15. This has to be the moment for Nadal. Dogged defence but ND always on top in the next rally. It’s 15-15.

A bit of brilliance in the short game from Nadal and Djokovic fails with a volley. 15-30.

And now Nadal has won the next point as well. It’s 15-40 on the Djokovic serve!

Unreturnable wide serve. 30-40.

Thrilling point! Djokovic is on top and has the chance to finish the point off with an overhead but he hits his smash straight at Nadal. Nadal gets it back, Djokovic is under pressure now and he’s crushed the next ball past him.

Rafael Nadal with a second break back!

Djokovic’s first serve has gone missing in the second set.

“Incredibly, we’re back on serve and this place just erupted when Nadal nabbed another game off Djokovic after showing real hustle in a tense rally, before rifling down a forehand winner. Djokovic’s body language has completely changed - he looks visibly frustrated - is the crowd finally getting to him? Their hero isn’t going down without a fight.”

02:12 PM BST

Djokovic* 6-1, 4-3 Nadal

Nadal consolidates his fight-back by holding his own serve and he’s now taken three games in a row. Crowd are loving it, they obviously want this to continue.

“Well this is surprising. Nadal looked absolutely spent at the change of ends a few moments ago but he’s discovered a slight spring in his step and has nicked a game off Djokovic and then held. Maybe there’s life in the old dog yet. The ‘Rafa’ chants just got that bit louder and the umpire is having to calm everyone down.”

02:04 PM BST

Djokovic 6-1, 4-2 Nadal*

Novak fails with a rather fancy drop shot, dumping it into the net.

Now he is yelling at his coaching box, more to pump himself up I am sure than for any particular dissatisfaction about how things are going. It’s 30-30.

Djokovic hits wide and it’s 30-40. And what do you know, Djokovic suddenly barfs up a double fault. Scenes!

Rafael Nadal breaks serve!

02:01 PM BST

Djokovic* 6-1, 4-1 Nadal

Rafa’s on the board in the second set.

“Nadal is on the board in this second set and the crowd roar their approval, but the Spaniard looks like a beaten man. Someone in the crowd just tried to heartily create that trumpet sound the French love to blast out at rugby matches (which actually originates from Spain). It was a commendable effort, but not sure the rest of Phillipe Chatrier entirely bought into it.”

01:57 PM BST

Djokovic 6-1, 4-0 Nadal*

Djokovic wins his service game.

01:43 PM BST

Djokovic* 6-1, 3-0 Nadal

Nadal is behind the eight ball again. He’s serving at 30-40. Game baseline defence from RN allows him to stay in the point and eventually Djokovic makes an error.

He saved that break point but he cannot save the next one, Djokovic hitting with too much power and accuracy. Nadal hits one long and that’s a second break of serve.

01:38 PM BST

Djokovic 6-1, 2-0 Nadal*

The Djokovic backhand is becoming crushing. There’s no escape for Rafa. Djokovic holds.

“Not sure this match is living up to its blockbuster billing, as Nadal strikes another forehand long. It has more of a ceremonial feel if anything given that these two are facing each other for the 60th competitive time in the same city where they kicked off their long-standing rivalry 18 years ago. But Djokovic isn’t buying into the bromance. He’s showing no mercy out there.”

01:37 PM BST

Djokovic* 6-1, 1-0 Nadal

Nadal has his back to the wall in this one as well. It’s 30-40 but Novak misses, and berates himself.

There’s soon another break point however.

He’s probing away to the back corner on the backhand, Nadal clinging on gamely but eventually he folds. Hits one into the net and Novak Djokovic has an early break of serve.

01:37 PM BST

Second set coming up

Any way back for RN?

01:29 PM BST

Djokovic 6-1 Nadal*

I’m pretty sure Djokovic will recalculate his drop shot strategy now because that is another one that’s sat up friendly like for Nadal to tuck away. Big moment at 0-15 now when Nadal lets rip with a scorching passing shot. Lands a few inches out. If that’s in, maybe we got something going on.

But it’s out.

And Djokovic wraps the set up with no fuss.

01:27 PM BST

Djokovic* 5-1 Nadal

Nadal serves at 40-30. Djokovic attempts a crosscourt return winner but isn’t close to landing it and Rafael Nadal is on the board. Nevertheless, Djokovic will now serve for the first set.

01:24 PM BST

Crowd muted

Bit of a muted response from the crowd as Djokovic establishes a 5-0 lead and the players reach for their towels. It’s been all too easy for the Serbian, whose commanding lead in this first set is to be largely expected given Nadal’s lack of match sharpness. Both these veterans are showing signs of battle scars from their illustrious careers - Djovokic is sporting the grey knee support that he wore for the entirety of Wimbledon, while Nadal has heavy strapping on his right thigh, like he did in his opening doubles match with Carlos Alcaraz. That said, both have moved relatively freely so far, with Nadal chasing shadows at times due to Djokovic’s savvy shotmaking. This could be one-way traffic.. and the dreaded bagel for Rafa looms...

01:23 PM BST

Billie Jean King and Snoop Dogg

together at last. Seen there chatting away in the posh seats.

01:23 PM BST

Chance to find out...

01:20 PM BST

Djokovic 5-0 Nadal*

Novak with a commanding service game and the unpalatable prospect of a first-set bagel faces the Mallorcan great.

01:11 PM BST

Djokovic* 4-0 Nadal

A bit of a slip/slide from Novak as he returns one here. Nevertheless, he’s looking very impressive. Nadal is up against it, serving, at 30-40. Can he go to the well one last time at RG?

Novak tries a drop shot from half court and it sits up nicely, this time Nadal gets there and puts the winner away. Well played. It’s deuce.

Djokovic, for his part, is moving very well indeed.

At 40-A, a shot from Nadal is called long but Djokovic himself corrects the call and says the ball was good.

Elegant savagery down the backhand from Novak. 40-A again...

And now Djokovic wins the next point as well to move double break up in the first set

01:08 PM BST

Djokovic 3-0 Nadal*

Djokovic, brilliant and ruthless, making Nadal test out that hamstring with further drop shots. Wraps this game up with the minimum of fuss.

Novak looks on his game and I make Rafa very long odds from here, crowd factor or no.

01:06 PM BST

Respect

01:01 PM BST

Djokovic* 2-0 Nadal

Rafa struggles on the first couple of points of his serve but gets himself going and draws a huge roar as he runs around a forehand for a winner and 30-30.

Djokovic testing out Rafa’s movement with a drop shot. The Spaniard gets there but he’s always up against it in this point. It’s 30-40.

Nadal gets a bit unlucky with a net cord and it drops out and that’s a break of serve for Novak Djokovic.

12:58 PM BST

Unusual time

These two normally meet at the business end of tournaments, in semi-finals or finals. Weird that this is the.. second round match of an Olympics, not that anybody cares. We’re only minutes in and already the Phillipe Chatrier crowd are chanting ‘Rafa! Rafa!’ in between the points. Djokovic, who made hard work of closing out his opening service game, will be relishing this.

12:56 PM BST

Djokovic 1-0 Nadal*

Djokovic wins the first three points with some ease but Nadal fights back with some overhead work and then a bludgeoning forehands to make it 40-30. Djokovic has the court at his mercy to win the game but hits long and it is deuce.

Nadal is moving really well in the early stages but Novak wraps this game up.

12:52 PM BST

Djokovic to serve first

Court looks a picture.

12:50 PM BST

Rafa feels the love

Warm applause for 14-time Roland Garros winner Nadal as he ambles out into the scorching sunshine. You can tell the love is real. Slightly less muted response for Djokovic, but huge cheers from all sides of the court as the pair share a photo together at the net.. quite possibly for the last time.

12:49 PM BST

The last dance?

12:48 PM BST

One of sport’s great rivalries

12:47 PM BST

Djokovic

is a short-priced favourite to win this but you never know with Rafa in Paris!

12:44 PM BST

Novak in a red shirt with white shorts

Rafa in a Spanish red. I mean a shirt, not a Rioja or whatever. That instantly recognisable shade with a yellow piping.

12:42 PM BST

The two legends are coming out

Huge roar for Nadal. Lesser roar for Novak but still nothing for him to moan about just yet!

12:33 PM BST

Elbows out!

What a blockbuster meeting we have in store. The sun is blazing down on Court Phillipe Chatrier and although Frenchwoman Diane Parry in action against Iga Swiatek (which has been a lopsided affair) it feels a bit flat. The crowd is clearly waiting for the headline act up next. There isn’t a spare seat going in the media tribune, which was practically full after the Swiatek-Parry first set. There are still lengthy press queues snaking out of the media entrances and I’ve had to elbow-barge my way to get on.

12:14 PM BST

Bit from Jeremy about Discovery coverage

11:37 AM BST

Discovery has had a good game so far

Here is Jeremy Wilson’s behind-the-scenes piece on the coverage.

Move over BBC: Behind the scenes as Eurosport launches biggest sports TV operation ever

11:35 AM BST

Rafa Nadal

Has already had a starring role at Paris 2024. Here is a bit on the Opening Ceremony and here’s my take on the TV action so far.

11:05 AM BST

The match is second on Philippe-Chatrier

And will commence at the conclusion of Iga Swiatek vs Diane Parry.

10:52 AM BST

Preview: Last dance in 18-year rivalry

Good morning and welcome to live coverage of the second round men’s singles match between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic from the 2024 Paris Olympics. This one’s a bolt from the blue. If only these two had met before we might be able to draw some conclusions from their history … duh, yeah. This will be their 60th (sixtieth) competitive meeting over the past 18 years and Djokovic, still the world No2, leads 30-29 head to head but not on clay where Nadal remains the king of Paris with a 20-8 lead on the unforgiving red road to hell. So beloved by France, he was given a starring role in the opening ceremony and, though at Roland-Garros itself Nadal leads 8-2, he has been injured for most of the past two years. Nonetheless his adoring Parisian public will be willing him on for one last dance, one last feat of endurance, one last procession to a gold medal he last won in 2008, the same year Djokovic won his only Olympic gong, bronze in Beijing.

The fans’ first standing ovation for Nadal this week occurred when he wasn’t even in their presence, merely an image shown on a video screen as he waited in a stadium hallway to walk out on the court in the first round. They stayed on their feet, some applauding, some raising their phones to capture images of the moment when he emerged and stepped on the red clay so familiar to him. Chants of “Ra-fa! Ra-fa!” rang out at various times, and plenty of red-and-yellow Spanish flags flapped in the stands, as Nadal beat Marton Fucsovics of Hungary 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 on Sunday.

“It’s been always super special to play against Novak, no? No doubt about that. But the difference is normally we have been playing for finals or for semi-finals. This,” the 38-year-old Nadal said with a chuckle, “is a second round.”

Djokovic had knee surgery in June after tearing his meniscus during the French Open in early June but recovered quickly – and well – enough to reach the Wimbledon final two weeks ago before losing to Carlos Alcaraz. Nadal, meanwhile, has dealt with a series of injuries the past two seasons, including hip surgery in 2023, and his right thigh was taped Sunday. He needed a finger on his right hand treated by a trainer in the third set against Fucsovics.

“Every single match that I played against Novak – almost every single match – I arrived with a different situation [than] I am [in] today. So that makes the match more difficult for me. And more unpredictable,” Nadal said. “But I always have hope, I always believe, and I’m going to give my best.”