Rafael Nadal was comfortably beaten by Novak Djokovic yesterday, bringing to an end his Olympic singles career.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion was well off the pace against his fierce rival, but he came up against a truly inspired Novak Djokovic who would not let Rafael Nadal get the better of him again.
Pulling out every shot necessary, he came so close to a first-set bagel, and despite surrendering a 4-0 lead in the second, he still ran out as the comfortable victor, 6-1, 6-4.
However, Nadal’s frustration was not with the match when speaking after, but instead the journalists he spoke to.
Rafael Nadal fumes at journalists’ questions after Novak Djokovic defeat
Talking to the media after his disappointing defeat to the Serbian, Nadal was unsurprisingly frustrated.
After all, despite being just one year older than his long-time rival, the physical toll that his brand of tennis has had on his body over the years has left him ravaged, and thus sorely outgunned in yesterday’s Olympics showdown.
However, as he bowed out of the singles draw, attention once again turned to his retirement, drawing anger from the Spaniard who has been inundated with questions on this topic.
To blatantly and relentlessly bombard such a revered figure with such unsavoury propositions throughout the entire year, he was always bound to snap, and this manifested itself in the following response: ‘Every day, huh? Every day you want me to retire every day guys. You ask me for that every single day.
‘I am trying to do my best every single day. I answer but I cannot answer 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, I just try my best every single day, trying to enjoy a thing that I have been enjoying for so much time.’
This came just before Djokovic revealed what he really thought of Nadal’s level in their match.
Rafael Nadal still has the Olympics doubles with Carlos Alcaraz
Whilst exiting the singles will have been frustrating for Nadal, especially against a rival like Djokovic, he still has a really strong chance of winning gold elsewhere in the men’s doubles.
After all, his combination with Carlos Alcaraz is one of the most feared in the competition, regardless of their respective experience in this particular field.
Although, it is worth mentioning that the 38-year-old does already have an Olympic gold medal in doubles, winning the men’s in 2016.
His experience and legendary technical prowess could prove pivotal in leading his young compatriot to glory, who will be a willing runner when needed.
Should they overcome the Dutch competition later today, a meeting with either a tricky Brazil side or a star-studded American lineup will await.
However, there is not a doubles pairing on the planet that would relish a clash with Nadal and Alcaraz.
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