The clock is ticking on Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s historic rivalry and a singles meeting at the Paris Olympics on Monday could be the final time the two tennis icons meet.
Nadal, 38, is widely expected to call time on his majestic career at the end of 2024 and is narrowly behind by 30-29 in a totemic head-to-head with Djokovic.
Recently beaten Wimbledon finalist Djokovic, 37, heads into this match as the favourite against his injury-ravaged old-foe, but if Nadal can turn back on the clock anywhere it will be on the famous clay courts of Roland-Garros.
A record 14 of his 22 career Grand Slam titles came at the French Open. Only Djokovic, with 24, can claim a more handsome haul. It truly is a rivalry without compare in sport. Is Paris about to witness the final chapter?
The Sporting News is following Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal from the 2024 Olympic Games live, providing game-by-game updates and highlights.
Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal live score
| 1 | 2 | 3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Novak Djokovic (1)* | 6 | 3 | |
| Rafael Nadal | 1 | 0 |
MORE: Olympic tennis bracket 2024: Full draw, schedule for men’s and women’s singles in Paris
Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal live updates, highlights from Paris 2024 Olympic Games men’s tennis singles
Novak Djokovic 6-1 2-0 Rafael Nadal*
Uh-oh, 0-30 and we’re going to that place again. Nadal batters down a serve that Djokovic can only net before his rival benefits from an unforced error for 30-30. Still you can’t shake the impression this has become an exercise in hanging on grimly. To shift that, Rafa has to hold and a double fault for break point does not help. Nadal finds a beautiful forehand that clips the baseline to take control of the rally. Djokovic nets. Deuce. But a brilliant return forces Nadal to go wide for another break opportunity. Nadal running around the forehand, pumping the backhand… but he goes long. We’ve not been out there an hour and Djokovic is a set and two breaks to the good.
*Novak Djokovic 6-1 2-0 Rafael Nadal
Djokovic 30-0 in no time. Oh my word, that’s an outrage. Brilliant, muscular backhand return from Nadal, angled across court. That’s winning a point in most circumstances but Djokovic creams a forehand almost around the net for the winner. He tidies up to love from there.
Novak Djokovic 6-1 1-0 Rafael Nadal*
Nadal gets the first point of the second set but is then long with a forehand as he seeks to force the issue. Same story next point before Djokovic goes wide with a backhand for 30-30. Another wild attempt from Nadal clears the baseline for another breakpoint but Djokovic is furious with himself as he shanks a forehand to pass up that opportunity. Now some trading from the back of the course. Nadal nets, another chance to break, which Djokovic takes as he drives his man back on the backhand side. Looooong old road back for Rafa now.
*Novak Djokovic 6-1 Rafael Nadal
First blood to Nadal here and his forehand down the line is just wide. That might have made things interesting. As it happens, here’s Novak with two set points. His forehand kicks up off he baseline and Nadal can only shank wide. Djokovic raises a hand apologetically and that’s the set wrapped up.
Novak Djokovic 5-1 Rafael Nadal*
The bagel looms 15-30 before Djokovic goes long. The crowd roar to rouse Nadal. He responds with a juicy forehand and a backhand down the line. Game point… and he’s on the board!
*Novak Djokovic 5-0 Rafael Nadal
From struggles on his own serve to being unable to make any impression of note on the Djokovic serve since the first game. Oof, this is tough, tough going for Rafa.
Novak Djokovic 4-0 Rafael Nadal*
Nadal needs to find something here or he can pretty much kiss this set goodbye. It’s a high-class game, with both men starting to move through the repertoire. Nevertheless, Djokovic is a beat ahead and had a break point. Nadal saves the first, back to deuce. His forehand is called long on break point No. 2 but Djokovic dips into some Olympic spirit and insists his foe’s shot was good. Perhaps the gulf out there at the moment allows him to do that as he gobbles up a third break point offered.
*Novak Djokovic 3-0 Rafael Nadal
That drop shot is working nicely for Djokovic, who is making Nadal move more than he probably fancies, all thing considered. He races into a 40-0 lead and then sees out the game with a deft backhand drop. A gorgeous shot.
Novak Djokovic 2-0 Rafael Nadal*
A pair of unforced errors from Nadal and he slips to 0-30. A trademark whipping forehand gets him on the board before he ties things up at 30-30. A Djokovic drop shot earns him break point through and Nadal’s forehand clips the net and spins wide to hand Novak the first break.
Novak Djokovic* 1-0 Rafael Nadal
Nadal wins the toss and opts to receive first. As he drags back 40-0 to deuce, it looks like a decent play. Djokovic regroups, nails a forehand at the net and then Nadal goes wide.
2:00 p.m. CET/ 8:00 p.m ET: One last dance? Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have met 59 times in their history-making careers. One of those was Nadal’s three-set victory in the semifinals of the 2008 Olympic Games. Sixteen years on, will this meeting at the Paris Olympics be their last?
How to watch Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal in USA
- TV channel: N/A
- Live stream: Peacock, NBCOlympics.com, NBC Sports App, Fubo
Djokovic and Nadal will only be available live on streaming through Peacock, NBC Olympics website, the NBC Sports App, and Fubo, which is offering a free trial so you can try before you buy. There will also be a re-run of the match on E! at 10 a.m. ET.
STREAM: Watch Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal on Fubo (free trial)
Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal head-to-head record
This match is the 60th meeting between Djokovic and Nadal, with Djokovic leading the head-to-head 30-29. Their last meeting was at the French Open in 2022 where they played in the quarterfinals.
Nadal prevailed in the four-hour match, winning in four sets (6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6) before going on to win his 14th title at Roland Garros. The king of the clay returns to his stomping grounds looking for his second gold medal in the singles competition, which he won in the 2008 Beijing Games. It would be his third gold medal overall.
Djokovic is seeking his first gold medal — his only piece of Olympic hardware came in the form of a bronze in 2008. He lost to Nadal that year in the semifinals on the Spaniard’s way to the gold.
