Novak Djokovic was crushing Rafael Nadal at the 2024 Paris Olympics until the Spaniard mounted a comeback, which happened because the Serbian got a bit too comfortable.
Monday in Paris saw Djokovic battle Nadal at the Olympics. It was the second and last time they faced each other at the Olympic Games, and this time around, the Spaniard wasn't able to get the win.
The 24-time major winner proved the favorite's status bestowed upon him by his opponent and others by winning the match relatively comfortably. The start of the match featured an early break by the Serbian, who added another one to take a 5-0 lead.
He won the opening set 6-1 and took another early break in the second set. He would ultimately lead 4-0, until Nadal mounted a comeback to make it 4-4, breaking him twice in the process.
It was an odd sequence of events because, for a while, Djokovic looked like he had lost control of the match and was overrun. It didn't last long as he quickly stepped up and broke Nadal's serve once more to eventually finish the match with an ace to end Nadal's Olympic singles career.
After the match, many wanted to know what really happened when Djokovic lost control of the second set, and he admitted that he just got a little bit too comfortable. It's not a major surprise because up until that point, he was handing Nadal the worst defeat he'd ever received at Roland Garros, leading 6-1 and 4-0.
"I was very relieved because everything looked like going my way, 6-1, 4-0. I got a little bit, maybe too comfortable there at 4-1. I played a pretty sloppy service game, and you can't give any chances to Nadla because he's going to use them. He's going to come back, especially on this court. The crowd getting involved was obviously very tough, but you know, crucial game at 4-4."
The crucial game was at 4-4 when Djokovic halted Nadal's surge and got the lead back. He then closed it out, winning the second set 6-4 in the next game to avoid playing a third set.
Very few doubt that Djokovic would have won in a third either way, given how well he played before that, but he didn't want to risk it.
"I did well on the last couple of serves, but wow, it was a very close encounter. I'm very pleased with everything. I think we will eventually appreciate this match very much, for the rivalry, for the sport as well, and for the Olympics."
"There was a lot of attention on the match today. It benefits all of us. It's unfortunate that he wasn't at his best, but I did everything I possibly could to make him uncomfortable on the court."
It was a historic tennis moment between two iconic players. Both are still in Paris, as Djokovic continues his journey in the singles while Nadal remains in the doubles draw with Carlos Alcaraz.