Paris Olympics: Rafael Nadal Falls to Novak Djokovic in Straight Sets

Paris: Rafael Nadal’s Olympic dream was abruptly cut short on Monday as the tennis legend suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of his long-time rival, Novak Djokovic. The 14-time French Open champion, often hailed as the “King of Clay,” was outclassed in straight sets, 1-6, 4-6, marking a shocking early exit from the Paris Olympics.

The match, a highly anticipated showdown between two of the greatest tennis players of all time, unfolded under the scorching Parisian sun. Djokovic, displaying exceptional form, dominated proceedings from the outset, breaking Nadal’s serve repeatedly to secure a commanding first set in just 39 minutes.

While the second set witnessed a brief fightback from Nadal, who managed to level the score at 4-4, Djokovic’s experience and precision proved too much for the Spaniard. The Serbian star clinched the decisive break to seal the match and advance to the third round.

Nadal’s defeat marks a disappointing continuation of a challenging 2024 season. Earlier this year, he suffered a first-round exit at the French Open, his beloved clay-court Grand Slam.

Despite the singles setback, Nadal remains in contention for a medal in the doubles event, partnering with rising star Carlos Alcaraz.

Djokovic, on the other hand, is riding high on confidence after his impressive performance. The victory over Nadal propels him closer to his goal of securing a gold medal in Paris, a title that has eluded him thus far in his illustrious career.

The Serbian will face either Germany’s Dominik Koepfer or Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi in the next round as he continues his quest for Olympic glory.