Rafael Nadal blew kisses at his adoring fans as he walked off the court Philippe Chatrier on Monday (29 July).

The two-time Olympic tennis gold medallist crashed out in the second round of the singles competition at Paris 2024 losing to his archrival Novak Djokovic 6-1, 6-4**.**

The Serb was in devastating form in their 60^th head-to-head clash almost steamrolling Nadal at his spiritual home of Stade Roland Garros where he had won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles.

But the enviable record could not save him against the force of nature that is an on-song Djokovic, who drew first blood.

Djokovic’s complete dismantling of Nadal would serve as sweet payback for the pain the Spanish superstar had inflicted upon him at past Olympics. The Spaniard beat Djokovic in the semi-finals at Beijing 2008 en route to singles gold and then won the men’s doubles at Rio 2016.

Spectators were treated to a clash of the two titans of the sport in the second round of the tournament as Djokovic is looking for his first Olympic gold and Nadal was bidding for his third.

The battle of the tennis greats was a fitting potential final hurrah at the Olympics for both players who boast 46 Grand Slam singles titles between them.

The “King of Clay” was bossed around by the all-time Grand Slam leader who has won three of his 24 majors here in Paris.

Trailing by 5-0 in the first set, desperation had kicked in and Nadal was looking for a way to staunch the bleeding as he willed himself on with a furrowed brow at the baseline.

Nadal’s service game had lost its sting allowing Djokovic to return without feeling too much pressure with the Serbian forcing his archrival to make errors.

The Spaniard finally found some momentum in the sixth as he held his serve for the first time in the contest with his intense expression relaxing for a moment.

Djokovic continued to dictate matters in the next game to seal the set and edge Nadal closer to an early exit at the Olympics.