Novak Djokovic has beaten Rafael Nadal to book his spot in the third round of the Paris Olympics on Monday, July 29.
Djokovic, who is fighting for his first Olympic title, got a 6-1, 6-4 victory over 38-year-old Nadal during their most likely last head-to-head match, US News reported.
A big crowd was gathered to witness the 60th clash between two tennis greats and, for the first time, the match between two rivals. It looked like a one-sided competition.
When Djokovic was asked whether this was a last face-off between them, he replied, “Of course it can be, but we don't know that. It really depends on many different factors. 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 or what his plans are."
Rafael Nadal Opens Up About Retirement Plans
22-time Grand Slam winner spoke about his future plans, saying, “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, and 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 further added, “If I feel that I am not competitive enough to keep going or physically I am not... ready to keep going, I will stop, and I will let you know.”
