As many times before, Rafael Nadal congratulated Novak Djokovic on a notable achievement. Novak claimed his first Olympic Games gold medal in Paris, completing a career golden Slam and joining Rafa on that record. Nadal cheered for Carlos Alcaraz in the gold medal match, but Djokovic prevailed 7-6, 7-6 in two hours and 50 minutes, earning a massive accomplishment and completing all 15 great titles of our sport.
Novak met Rafa in the second round of the Olympic Games, battling on Court Philippe-Chatrier two years after their previous duel. Two legends embraced their 60th meeting, and Djokovic scored a 6-1, 6-4 victory in an hour and 44 minutes.
Novak stormed over Rafa, taking ten out of the opening 11 games for a massive advantage. The Spaniard bounced back and delivered a double break, rattling off four games and locking the result at 4-4. Djokovic stayed calm and secured another break in game nine before sealing the deal with a hold at 5-4, beating Nadal for the 32nd time.
Novak grabbed half of the return points, making Rafa powerless until that sudden fall at 4-0 in set number two. Still, the Spaniard could not extend the duel, lacking speed and depth and suffering an expected loss.
Djokovic made a flying start, producing three fine holds and back-to-back breaks for a 5-0 advantage. Nadal escaped a bagel with a hold in game six before world no. 2 secured the opener a few minutes later, moving 6-1 in front and gathering a boost.
With nothing working his way, Rafa suffered two more breaks early in the second set, finding himself 6-1, 4-0 behind and moving closer to his most challenging ATP defeat on clay. Suddenly, Nadal raised his level and improved his shots, pulling two breaks back in games six and eight and making the duel more interesting.
Rafa landed a forehand crosscourt winner in the eighth game, making the crowd erupt in joy and hoping for a complete comeback.
Rafael Nadal congratulated Novak Djokovic on his massive success.
However, Djokovic made a push on the return at 4-4, missing the opening three break chances before seizing the fourth with a drop shot winner, securing another advantage and serving for the win at 5-4.
Novak landed two powerful serves at 30-30, sealing the deal in style and moving into the third round. Djokovic took down Dominik Koepfer and secured a spot in the last eight. Facing the first serious opponent, Novak battled against Stefanos Tsitsipas for a place in the semi-final, seeking his first top-10 win of the season.
The Serb felt the pain in his troubled knee, struggling in the second set before performing a notable comeback, sealing the deal in straight sets and preserving energy. Novak served well in the opening set. He broke Stefanos in the fourth game and claimed the opener 6-3.
Djokovic struggled early in the second set, getting broken two times in a row and falling 4-0 behind! He pulled one break back and saved break points in the sixth game, staying within one break deficit.
The Greek led 5-2 and served for the set at 5-3, missing three set points and allowing the Serb to prolong the set.
Novak clinched the tie break 7-3, moving over the top and arranging the semi-final clash with Lorenzo Musetti. The veteran scored a 6-4, 6-2 victory, stealing the rival’s serve five times in a row from the closing stages of the opening set and reaching his first Olympic Games title clash.
Djokovic chased elusive Olympic gold versus the most formidable opponent, with Carlos Alcaraz standing on the other side of the net. The veteran ousted the young gun 7-6, 7-6 in two hours and 50 minutes, overpowering an in-form opponent and writing ultimate tennis history.
Novak claimed 11 points more than Carlos, building the difference in two tie breaks after nothing separated them in regular games. The Spaniard hit more winners and unforced errors.
Djokovic drew almost 50 mistakes from the young gun, maintaining a high level throughout the duel and breaking Alcaraz’s resistance in the closing stages of each set.
Carlos had the edge in the opening set, earning eight break chances and failing to convert any. Novak missed five opportunities on the return in the first part of the match, with two rivals repelling all 13 break points! The Spaniard made a push at 4-4 in the first set, firing winners and generating five break chances.
The Serb denied them and clinched the tie break 7-3, building the lead after an hour and 32 minutes. Novak pushed on the return early in the second set, wasting a break chance and keeping Carlos in contention. The Serb passed all six service games without facing a break point, making a staggering difference in comparison to the opening set.
The set went into a tie break, and Djokovic took charge from 2-2. Novak fired up his forehand and claimed five straight points, sealing the deal in style and celebrating his first Olympic Games gold medal.
