Novak Djokovic emerged victorious on Monday from a clash of legends against his historic rival Rafael Nadal in the second round of the Olympic tournament, a one-sided match for their 60e a clash won by the Serb 6-1, 6-4, which brings the Spaniard a little closer to the end of his career.
In search of Olympic gold, the only trophy missing from his immense list of achievements, Djokovic, 37, will face in the round of 16 the winner of the match between the German Dominik Koepfer (70e world) and the Italian Matteo Arnaldi (45e).
The miracle did not happen. Nadal nevertheless tried to defy logic, after a first set that was played like a junior against the Serb and he lost 6-1. Having come back to level with his opponent at 4-4 in the second set after being led 4-1, and having wiped out three break points in the process, Nadal made the impossible seem possible for a few moments. A crazy feeling then ran through the Philippe-Chatrier court.
But reality has come knocking: at 38, Nadal no longer has the weapons to challenge players of Djokovic’s caliber,o 2nd world.
The two players did not actually arrive in the same condition on Monday.
Nadal, who has been struggling with his right thigh for several days, is no longer the monster he once was. He has been carrying around his share of physical problems for a year and a half, gradually distancing him from the circuit. Djokovic was still playing in the Wimbledon final a few days ago.
Last episode ?
Despite the crowd’s support and the obvious excitement surrounding the match, Nadal lost in his backyard, where he has won 14 Grand Slam titles.
In 2008, the year Nadal won the Beijing Olympics, the Spaniard eliminated Djokovic in the semi-finals. The Serb thus took his revenge 16 years later. This defeat seems to mark the end of an era for the Majorcan. An era with which his rival of the day is undeniably associated.
Eighteen years ago, the two faced each other for the first time, at Roland Garros, the start of a series that would mark the history of the sport. Between that day in June 2006 and Monday, the two have never really left each other, winning 46 Grand Slams between them, and facing each other nine times in Major finals. The Serb has won 24 Grand Slams, putting him above his great rivals Federer and Nadal. The Spaniard has been crowned emperor of clay.
There was obviously a whiff of mothballs floating around this encounter, which brings Nadal closer to the end of his career, which was expected a priori before that of “Djoko”. But the Majorcan has postponed a possible decision for the future a little longer.
“After the Olympics, I will make the necessary decisions,” he told the press after his defeat, “relying above all on my desires and my feelings.”
“Obviously, if I feel that I’m not competitive anymore and I don’t have the ability to be competitive again, I’ll make the decision to stop,” he assured. “Let me see what happens, and choose what I should do, when I should do it,” he asked reporters.
The Spaniard is still in the running for these Olympics in doubles with Carlos Alcaraz, a five-star pair that can continue to dream.
His partner continues his journey in singles, qualified for the third round after his 6-1, 7-6 (7/3) victory against the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor (28e global).