Novak Djokovic made Olympics U-turn after tennis legend's four-word snub (2024)

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Who won between Nadal and Djokovic at the Olympics? ›

In the most highly anticipated event on Monday at the Olympics, world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, winner of a men's record 24 major championships, defeated Nadal—who holds 22 Grand Slam titles—in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4, in what is very likely the last match of their two-decade rivalry.

Wimbledon enforces a famously strict all-white policy that players must adhere to. Meaning Djokovic's grey knee brace was technically illegal and broke the 'golden rule' all players must following when stepping onto the infamous grass courts at the London venue.

His journey to tennis stardom began at a young age. Born in 1987 in what was then Yugoslavia, he took up the sport aged four when his ski coach father gave him a mini-racket and a ball. It became young Novak's favourite toy and tennis won out over skiing.

He enters his fifth Games with just one medal -- a singles bronze in 2008. So now, two weeks after his disappointing finish at Wimbledon, Djokovic is back in Paris for what might be his final Games, with his eyes set on the one thing that has eluded him throughout his historic career: Olympic gold.

Djokovic owns 24 Grand Slam titles and Nadal 22, the two highest men's totals in the century-plus history of the sport. Both have been ranked No. 1, and no pair of men has played each other more often in the professional era.

However, it's not only Yelena who cheers on the tennis ace, as Novak is also often cheered on by his two young children: Stefan, nine, and daughter Tara, six. Novak is certainly a doting dad, and the father-of-two has spoken on several occasions about how much his children mean to him.

Djokovic is the only man in tennis history to be the reigning champion of all four majors at once across three different surfaces. In singles, he is the only man to achieve a triple Career Grand Slam, and the only player to complete a Career Golden Masters, a feat he has achieved twice. Last updated on: 27 July 2024.

Djokovic is widely regarded by sports analysts, tennis players and media pundits as the greatest tennis player of all time. In addition to his winning records at majors, Djokovic made 37 Grand Slam finals, playing at least seven finals at each major and winning at least 88 matches at each major, all all-time records.

But what still motivates the highly achieved father of two? The answer is simple: Matches against players like world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz -- the rising star who has taken the tennis world by storm.

The Spaniard, who won Olympic gold in singles in 2008 and doubles in Rio eight years later, claimed his last of 22 Grand Slam titles with his 14th French Open victory in Paris in 2022. Nadal's ranking, once a proud No. 1, has plummeted to 161 in the world.

Has Nadal ever won against Djokovic? ›

The two all-time greats have faced each other 59 times, including in all four major finals. The rivalry is also extremely close, as Djokovic just edges out Nadal for the lifetime advantage with a 30-29 record against the Spaniard.

With his recent two wins, Alcaraz became the first tennis player in history to beat Nadal and Djokovic in back-to-back matches on clay. The 19-year-old has become the face of the new era in tennis. He's already won three titles so far in 2022, the Rio Open in February, and the Miami Open and Barcelona Open in April.

The singles tennis tournament at Paris 2024 saw its first high-profile exit when two-time Olympic champion Rafael Nadal of Spain suffered a second-round defeat to Serbia's Novak Djokovic on Monday 29 July.