"This is exactly why many don't like Novak Djokovic"- Fans slam Serb for 'classless' gesture against Rafael Nadal in Paris Olympics 2R win

Novak Djokovic did himself no favors by seemingly taunting Rafael Nadal's vociferous fans during the pair's men's singles second-round clash at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Monday, July 29. Despite Djokovic's resounding win over the Spaniard, his gesture was later criticized by numerous fans.

Djokovic and Nadal's 2024 Paris Olympics meeting marked their 60th encounter, with the Serb coming into the match with a 30-29 head-to-head lead. For the most part of the contest, it was Djokovic who set the pace, with Nadal looking far from his best. Djokovic raced to a 6-1, 4-0 lead, but out of nowhere, backed by the Roland Garros crowd, the Spaniard won four back-to-back games.

However, Rafael Nadal fared poorly in his service game at 4-4, which allowed Novak Djokovic to break his serve before he eventually served for and sealed his win. After breaking the two-time Olympic gold medalist's serve, the World No. 2 turned to a section of Nadal's fans, who had fallen silent on Court Phillipe-Chatrier. The Serb proceeded to point to his ear, as if to suggest that he couldn't hear the Spaniard's fans.

One set of fans on X (formerly Twitter) blatantly disapproved of Djokovic's behavior.

"This behavior is exactly why many people don’t like him," wrote a fan.

"So unappealing. And it wonders why he is so unpopular," commented another fan.

"That's why he ain't ever gonna be the GOAT," another fan chimed in.

"Guy never earns respect. Like NEVER," yet another fan wrote.

Another set of fans suggested that Novak Djokovic should be ashamed of his gesture considering that it was quite possibly Rafael Nadal's final appearance on Court Phillipe-Chatrier, the court on which he has won the French Open a record 14 times.

"Absolutely classless move, given that this was likely Rafa’s last singles match on Chatrier," a fan wrote.

"Such a sore winner. Even worse than a sore loser. He can’t stand it when the crowd cheers against him. Bruises the ego too much. Congrats, you beat an injured Nadal at the end of his career, who still managed to break you twice in the final set," another fan commented.

"Against an old broken man get some shame," yet another fan weighed in.

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Novak Djokovic to face either Dominik Koepfer or Matteo Arnaldi next; Rafael Nadal set to gun for Paris Olympics glory in doubles with Carlos Alcaraz

Rafael Nadal (L) and Novak Djokovic (R) (Source: Getty)

Novak Djokovic's win over Rafael Nadal helped him continue his quest for the men's singles Olympic gold. The World No. 2 is set to face either German Dominik Koepfer or Italian Matteo Arnaldi next. The Serb has faced Koepfer once before and came out on top. However, he has no previous experience of facing the talented Arnaldi.

Meanwhile, despite the end of his singles campaign at the Paris Olympics, Nadal will be hopeful of extending his run in the men's doubles alongside Carlos Alcaraz. The two Spaniards looked devastating at times during their first-round win over Argentine doubles veterans Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez.

Nadal and Alcaraz's next challenge will be to get past the Dutch duo of Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof.