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The 2020 Paris Games are underway, and Rafael Nadal had a strong start in the Men's Doubles, only to face defeat in his singles match on Monday against world No. 1 Novak Djokovic. The Spaniard will return to the courts on Tuesday, July 30, to compete again in doubles with Carlos Alcaraz.
© Tim Clayton - CorbisNadal and Djokovic have had a two-decade rivalry, and Monday's match, which ended with a score of 6-1, 6-4, could be their last. Nadal has been battling injuries for over a year and was virtually out of the 2023 season.
© GettyWhen he left the courts, fans in the stands showed their utmost respect with an ovation. He was also surrounded by his loved ones: his wife, Mery Perelló, his mother, Ana María, his father, Sebastián, and his sister, Maribel, cheered from the stands.
© Jean CatuffeThere has been speculation that the 38-year-old will retire soon, but he is not thinking about his last game. “I cannot live every single day with the feeling that it’s going to be, or not going to be, my last match. I come here, I try my best, I play. And when I decide to stop playing, or when I decide to keep going, I will let you know. I don’t know,” Nadal said after his defeat, per AP.
Following his win, Djokovic acknowledged that while it could be their last match, he hoped that was not the case. “I just hope for the sake of our rivalry, and the sport in general, that we’ll get to face each other once, maybe a few times, on different surfaces, in different parts of the world, because I feel like it can only benefit the sport. But I don’t know how he feels in his body, what his plans are," he told reporters.
The tennis professionals have faced each other 60 times throughout their careers, with 31 victories for the Serbian and 29 for Nadal.
Rafael Nadal's Olympic rollercoaster
The Olympic Games have been full of highs and lows for Nadal. He helped carry the Olympic torch on its final journey through the Trocadero for the opening ceremony.
© GettyNadal will have to put the loss behind him and go into warrior mode as he continues his fight alongside Alcaraz. The duo will take on the Dutch doubles partners Wesley Koolhof and Tallon Griekspoor on Tuesday.
© Clive BrunskillThe legend hopes to add to his Olympic medal collection. He has two golds: the first in Beijing 2008 in the singles category, and the second in Rio 2016 in the doubles category with his current coach, Marc López.
