"Rafael Nadal went even if he knew it'd be tough"- Fans emotional as Novak Djokovic ends potential final chapter of rivalry with win at Paris Olympics

Novak Djokovic beat Rafael Nadal in the second round of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Spaniard’s loss drew emotional reactions from tennis fans online.

Djokovic, the top seed at the event, put on a dominant display against his arch rival on court, Philippe-Chatrier, on Monday, July 29. He clinched the opener with very little trouble, allowing Nadal just one game (6-1).

The Serb appeared poised to close out the match with a similar scoreline in the second set, securing a two-break advantage and a 4-0 lead. Rafael Nadal, however, had other plans. The 14-time French Open champion, no stranger to pulling off miraculous comebacks, produced some of his best tennis to draw level (4-4). His efforts, though, proved too little, too late after all. Novak Djokovic broke right back and successfully served for the match, with the score reading 6-1, 6-4.

This was the pair’s 60th career meeting, making their rivalry the greatest in men’s tennis in the Open Era—only second to Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova’s 80 battles over all. It was also their 11th meeting at Roland-Garros, with Nadal having an 8-3 lead. Novak Djokovic, meanwhile, extended his overall head-to-head lead to 31-29 with the latest win.

Many fans believed that they might have just witnessed the final meeting between the two legends, given their retirement hints in recent months.

"Thank you for defining my tennis watching years. Thank you for the endless memories," one fan said.

"Is this an end of an era ? No idea and I prefer not knowing. Love them, hate them, often compared to, never equaled. I don’t think we will ever see anything like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal and it’s okay," another fan said.

"To me, this is the biggest and closest rivalry in the history of men’s tennis. Fedal doesn’t even come close," one fan opined.

Several fans were impressed by the Spaniard giving the 24-time Grand Slam champion a run for his money in the second set despite his physical struggles.

"(Rafa) probably shouldn't have played that match knowing deep down he had very little chance to win it, but the fact he stepped on the court and somehow made it a fight out of nowhere in the second set is the reason he's Rafael Nadal," one fan said.

"Can’t lie. Rafa’s level in the second heartened me. Good comeback, showed fight against a fearsome opponent. Well done to Novak and his fans #rafole," another fan wrote.

"So so proud of our Rafa. Really grateful, proud, everything. He went on court even if he knew it would be so tough and fought until the end. Just thank you," yet another individual chimed in.

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Novak Djokovic continues quest for elusive gold; Rafael Nadal alive in doubles at Paris Olympics

The 22-time Grand Slam champion pictured with Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 Paris Olympics - Source: Getty

Following his wins over Matthew Ebden and the Spaniard, Novak Djokovic has progressed to the third round of the 2024 Paris Olympics, keeping his dream of a gold medal alive.

The Serb, who is competing at his fifth Olympic Games, has won one bronze medal so far, at Beijing 2008, where he was beaten by eventual gold medalist Nadal in the semifinals. He awaits the winner between Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi and Germany’s Dominik Koepfer for a spot in the final eight.

Rafael Nadal, meanwhile, will continue his men’s doubles campaign, partnering Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniards beat Argentines Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez in the opening round. They face Dutch duo Wesley Koolhof and Tallon on Tuesday for a spot in the quarterfinals. The veteran is chasing his second men’s doubles medal, having clinched the gold at Rio 2016 with Marc Lopez.