Rafael Nadal had the support of his family during his loss

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PARIS, FRANCE: JULY 29: Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Rafael Nadal of Spain pose for a photograph at the net before their second round match of the Mens Singles Competition during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games on July 29th, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

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 – Corbis
PARIS, FRANCE: JULY 29: Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Rafael Nadal of Spain pose for a photograph at the net before their second round match of the Mens Singles Competition during the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games on July 29th, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

Nadal 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.

María Isabel Nadal and Maria Francisca Perello support Rafael Nadal against Novak Djokovic of Team Serbia during the Men's Singles second-round match on day three of the Olympic Games © Getty
María Isabel Nadal and Maria Francisca Perello support Rafael Nadal against Novak Djokovic of Team Serbia during the Men’s Singles second-round match on day three of the Olympic Games

When 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.

Rafael Nadal's mom Ana María Parera, sister María Isabel Nadal, his wife Maria Francisca Perello, and father Sebastian Nadal support him in the stands © Jean Catuffe
Rafael Nadal’s mom Ana María Parera, sister María Isabel Nadal, his wife Maria Francisca Perello, and father Sebastian Nadal support him in the stands

There 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. 

Rafael Nadal of Spain carries the Olympic torch during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 © Getty
Rafael Nadal of Spain carries the Olympic torch during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games Paris 2024

Nadal 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. 

Rafael Nadal and partner Carlos Alcaraz celebrate victory against Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez of Team Argentina© Clive Brunskill
Rafael Nadal and partner Carlos Alcaraz celebrate victory against Andres Molteni and Maximo Gonzalez of Team Argentina

The 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.

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