Imagine playing your biggest rival for the 60th time at the Olympics. That’s what happened between the greatest tennis players of all time, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
Every detail depicts their last professional match. The Olympic rings, the golden clay, their kits representing Serbia and Spain, Novak’s knee brace, and Rafa’s thigh tape.
Novak’s meniscus injury occurred on this exact court just months before. Rafa’s ongoing psoas issues were the final straw for his career.
Roland-Garros is where Rafa won a record 14 titles, and where Novak won 3. It’s where Novak finally won an Olympic gold medal on his fifth attempt.
Approaching each other at the net for a final handshake, each of them smiled, likely knowing it was the last dance, the end of an era.
Captured by French photographer BOBY, some of these photos are part of our latest issue.
When you look at this photo, what do you see?
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