With 24 Grand Slam titles for Novak Djokovic and 22 for Rafael Nadal, the two have the highest men’s totals in tennis history.
Novak Djokovic dominated Rafael Nadal at the outset and then held off a late surge to win 6-1, 6-4 in the second round of the Paris Olympics on Monday. This match marked their 60th — and likely final — head-to-head clash.
Djokovic stormed through the first 11 games, leaving Nadal looking a shadow of the player who has won 14 French Open titles on the same red clay at Roland Garros. At 38, Nadal appeared to be nearing retirement, having played sporadically over the past two seasons due to injuries, including hip surgery.
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Despite this, Nadal mounted a comeback, making the contest competitive and taking four consecutive games in the second set. His forehand winner to break for 4-all drew loud cheers from the crowd at Court Philippe Chatrier.
However, Djokovic regained control, breaking back immediately and gesturing to the crowd as if to taunt Nadal’s supporters. He then served out the match, sealing the victory before exchanging a hug with Nadal at the net.
Prior to the tournament, Nadal hinted that this might not be their last encounter, responding, “Who says that’s the last dance?” when asked about facing Djokovic again. Djokovic also left the door open, stating, “We don’t know that. It depends on many factors. We both want to play in the Grand Slams and the biggest tournaments.”
With 24 Grand Slam titles for Djokovic and 22 for Nadal, the two have the highest men’s totals in tennis history. They have been ranked No. 1 and have faced each other more than any other pair of men in the professional era. Along with Roger Federer, who retired with 20 Slam titles, they make up the “Big Three” of men’s tennis, sparking debates about the greatest of all time (GOAT).
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When asked about his “brotherhood” with Nadal, Djokovic downplayed the idea, citing the challenges of being close with a rival. However, he acknowledged his respect and appreciation for Nadal’s career.
Djokovic noted, “It’s tough to be close, honestly, as greatest rivals. You don’t want to give insights to your life or feelings because that can expose you. But who knows when our careers end. It’s a long life, hopefully for both of us, and maybe we can connect differently then.”
Unlike their usual encounters in the finals, this match took place in the second round because Djokovic is the top seed, while Nadal’s ranking has dropped outside the top 150 due to his lack of recent matches.
Nadal’s struggles were partly due to his physical condition, with his right thigh taped during these Olympics where he is also competing in doubles with Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic, on the other hand, was in top form, sliding along the baseline, hitting precise shots, and using drop shots to force Nadal to cover more ground.
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Djokovic played with a gray sleeve on his right knee, having torn his meniscus during the French Open and undergone surgery in Paris. This didn’t seem to hinder him as he showcased his best form, except for a brief stretch in the second set, ultimately securing the victory.