PARIS — Watching Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros is like witnessing a timeless performance—whether it’s Simone Biles on the beam or Keith Richards onstage. There’s a nostalgic thrill that remains, no matter how many times you’ve seen it before.
Nadal’s rituals remain unchanged. He still requests three balls from the ball kids before each point, taps the clay off his heels before every serve—right foot, left foot, right foot—and adjusts his headband, shirt, and wristband with the same meticulousness. His forehand still whips through the air with incredible speed, and he moves across the red clay with a fluid grace reminiscent of an Olympic figure skater.
Yet, despite these familiar sights, Nadal’s clash with Novak Djokovic in the second round of the 2024 Olympics marked a poignant chapter. Their 60th encounter, held at Roland Garros, was a mix of nostalgia, excitement, and the stark reality of time’s passage. Djokovic won decisively with scores of 6-1, 6-4, showing that even the great Nadal is now more about holding back the inevitable sunset rather than seeking new triumphs.
In this match, Djokovic raced through the first set and took the first four games of the second set before Nadal managed a comeback to level it at 4-4. However, Djokovic broke Nadal’s serve and closed out the match with an ace.
Nadal reflected on his career with a sense of fulfillment, acknowledging the possibility that this might be his final match at Roland Garros. “I have achieved more than I ever dreamed,” Nadal said. “If this is my last match here, or whenever it comes, I will accept it in peace.”
Throughout their rivalry, Djokovic and Nadal have battled for historical supremacy, with Djokovic leading 30-29 in their head-to-head record before this match. Nadal, however, held a strong advantage over Djokovic at Roland Garros, with a 7-2 record on clay against him. Yet, it was clear from the beginning of this match that historical records were no longer enough to secure a victory for Nadal.
Both players entered the court at 1:42 p.m. local time under a clear blue sky with a temperature of 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Nadal, wearing red and yellow, and Djokovic, in Serbian blue and white, did not acknowledge each other as they passed at center court.
Time, rather than Djokovic, appeared to be Nadal’s biggest adversary. Nadal’s serve lacked its usual power, his strokes were less precise, and he found himself frequently hitting the net. “I cannot live every single day thinking it could be my last match,” Nadal said. “I come here, I try my best, and when I decide to stop playing or continue, I will let you know.”
Djokovic, although slightly less dominant than in his prime, remains formidable. His aggressive play kept Nadal on the defensive, and his calm, relentless approach eventually wore down the Spaniard. Even as Nadal showed flashes of brilliance—a deft drop shot and a stunning return—Djokovic’s superior play prevailed.
Despite the Roland Garros crowd’s support and cheers for Nadal, the match ended with Djokovic breaking Nadal’s serve and winning with an ace.
While Nadal has won 14 French Open titles and two Olympic gold medals, his singles career at the Olympics appears to be concluding. Although he continues to compete in doubles with Carlos Alcaraz, his days in Olympic singles are likely over. As Nadal faced the final changeover, his pace may have been slower, but his determination remained undiminished.
Sunset is approaching for Rafael Nadal, but he’s not going quietly into the night.
