Djokovic overcomes Nadal in Olympics 'last dance'

By Sports Desk July 29, 2024

Novak Djokovic overcame great foe Rafael Nadal at the Paris Olympics in what might be the final instalment of their captivating rivalry.

Nadal looked down and out midway through the second set, but the 14-time French Open champion has plenty of history at Roland-Garros and did not go down without a fight.

Ultimately, though, Djokovic just had too much, and prevailed 6-1 6-4 to take his place in the third round. 

Djokovic dominated the opening set, needing just 39 minutes to nose himself ahead in the 60th contest between these two greats, and the first since the 2022 French Open.

It was just the third time Nadal had won only one game in a completed set at Roland-Garros, and the first time since a 2015 French Open quarter-final against Djokovic.

Djokovic seemed to be cruising towards a routine victory as he stormed into a 4-0 lead in the second set, yet Nadal's magnificent levels of resilience came to the fore as the Spaniard reeled off four straight games to draw level at 4-4.

The Serbian eventually wrestled back control, capitalising on a fourth break point to go 5-4 up and, after a long return from Nadal, Djokovic served out for the match to bring what could be the last match of this incredible rivalry to a close.

Data Debrief: The last dance

Nadal, who is also in doubles action in Paris with Carlos Alcaraz, came into this with a big edge at Roland-Garros over Djokovic, holding an 8-2 head-to-head record at the venue, with that including three French Open final victories.

This duo are the first male players to face each other 60 times in the Open Era, and if it was to be their last dance, at least Nadal made a fist of it.

Djokovic was the stronger player throughout, though, despite that second-set fightback from Nadal, and the world number two is the player with the most match wins against a single opponent in the Open Era (31).

He is also the first player to win 15 men's singles matches at the Olympics since tennis returned to the summer programme in 1988.

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  • Alcaraz battles past Griekspoor to reach Olympics round of 16 Alcaraz battles past Griekspoor to reach Olympics round of 16

    Carlos Alcaraz dug deep to overcome Tallon Griekspoor in the second round at the Paris Olympic Games.

    The reigning French Open champion was pushed all the way in his straight-sets victory, getting a 6-1 7-6 (7-3) win in one hour and 48 minutes.

    It looked like it was going to be another routine match for the Spaniard at Roland-Garros as he raced into a 3-0 lead in the first set, and even after Griekspoor pulled one back, Alcaraz's aggressive approach saw him take the lead.

    The Dutchman found his fight in the second, though, with the players matching each other stride for stride. Griekspoor threatened to take the set with a break, but Alcaraz successfully defended it before forcing a tie-break.

    Alcaraz then turned on the style when he needed it most, winning the last four points in a row to book his place in the next round, where he will face Roman Safiullin.

    Data Debrief: Alcaraz gets the job done

    Unlike his opening round, when he cruised through with a 6-3 6-1 victory over Lebanon's Hady Habib, Alcaraz was made to work hard for this victory.

    Despite the stern test, Alcaraz did not drop a single service game, successfully saving two break points.

    He is back in action on Tuesday when he will once again pair up with Rafael Nadal in the men's doubles. 

  • Djokovic thrilled by Nadal win despite 'getting comfortable' Djokovic thrilled by Nadal win despite 'getting comfortable'

    Novak Djokovic admitted he got "a little bit too comfortable" before rallying to beat Rafael Nadal in their mouth-watering second-round Olympic meeting.

    Billed as their 'last dance', the great rivals faced off for a record 60th time in the Open Era, with Djokovic coming out on top with a 6-1 6-4 straight-sets win.

    It was not quite so straightforward for the Serb though, as Nadal showed his fight in the second set, fighting from 4-0 down to tie it at 4-4 before Djokovic wrestled back control to win.

    The 37-year-old is the first player to win 15 men's singles matches at the Olympics since tennis returned to the summer programme in 1988, but he is still searching for an elusive first gold medal.

    And despite a slightly sloppy finish to the second set, Djokovic was pleased with his overall performance.

    "At 6-1, 4-0, I got a little bit too comfortable," Djokovic said. "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 comeback.

    "Especially on this court. 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."

    The win was also Djokovic's 31st against Nadal, the most match wins against a single opponent by anyone in the Open Era.

    With this potentially the last-ever meeting, Djokovic reflected on just how far they had come since first facing off at Roland-Garros in the French Open quarter-finals in 2006.

    "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," he added.

    "So, I think we will appreciate this match very much. I think our rivalry and I think for the sport itself.

    "I think there was a lot of attention and interest directed from sports towards us. It is unfortunate for him that he wasn't at his best, but I did everything I could to make him feel uncomfortable."

    Djokovic will face Germany’s Dominik Koepfer in the next round. 

  • Fraser-Pryce eager for final Olympic challenge; enjoying the experience in Paris Fraser-Pryce eager for final Olympic challenge; enjoying the experience in Paris

     Four-time Olympic 100m medallist Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce is embracing the experience as she prepares for what will be her last Olympic Games, though not necessarily her final season in track and field. Speaking to Jamaican media in Paris on Monday, Fraser-Pryce expressed her enthusiasm to compete, despite the significant challenges posed by injuries that have limited her to just four races this season. Her latest setback forced her to withdraw from her last race prior to arriving in Paris.

     The 37-year-old sprint legend has a storied Olympic career, having won gold in the 100m in Beijing 2008 and London 2012. She captured bronze while battling a toe injury in Rio 2016 and secured silver at the Tokyo 2020 Games, making her the only woman to medal in the 100m at four consecutive Olympics. Fraser-Pryce will aim to extend her record with a fifth 100m medal when competition begins on August 2.

    "It's the final Olympic Games; let me repeat that," Fraser-Pryce said hinting that Paris will not be her final season in the sport. "I think this time around I have been having a good experience with the Olympic spirit, just meeting people. Yesterday I went to a rugby match (to watch her new friend and massive fan Michaela Blyde of New Zealand play), the first time going to a rugby match. Considering that my competition is this week, that would probably be the last competition I go to before I get to compete but it has been a good experience."

    Fraser-Pryce, who finished third at the Jamaican national championships in late June, shared her positive outlook on her Olympic preparations.

    "So far it has been good. Again, always excited to step on the track. That's where you kind of unleash everything that you have been experiencing, how training has been going, how you really want to represent not just yourself but your country and I think ultimately for me being here at the fifth Olympic Games is such a blessing. When I look back, like five, it's crazy to even think about and the fact that it has been five straight Olympic Games, it's even more crazy but it's just the blessings, about how God has been good to me and how He has kept me so I'm really looking forward to the experience, stepping on the track and always, once I get on the line I'm giving 100 per cent at all times and that's what I'm looking forward to."

    Acknowledging the competitiveness of the field, Fraser-Pryce emphasized the importance of focus and determination.

    "The field is always tough. It's the Olympic Games, it's every four years so whenever anybody lines up I think it's really about doing their best because for some people this is one shot because the Olympics is every four years so for me I am always of the expectation that it is going to be competitive no matter where I am at; whether it's an Olympic Games, a World Championships or a track meet, it's going to be competitive so you have to have that in your head space, get on the line and make sure you're focused on yourself and get the job done."

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