Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer vs Andy Murray: Who did better at the Olympics?
The Olympics is one of the rare occasions where tennis stars get to represent their country on the global stage. The 'Big Four' of tennis have had very different outcomes at the Olympic Games as compared to their record in the ATP tournaments and Grand Slams.
Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic have featured prominently in the last three Olympic Games. However, not all of them have won a gold medal for their country.
In sharp contrast to their careers, Andy Murray is the most successful player at the Olympics among the 'Big Four' of men's tennis.
Andy Murray won his first gold medal in singles during the London Olympics in 2012. The Brit starred at his home tournament, beating Roger Federer 6-2, 6-1, 6-4 in the final to claim a top prize in front of a buoyant home crowd.
Murray even reached the final at the mixed doubles event with his partner Laura Robson. However, the duo had to settle for a silver medal as they were beaten by Victoria Azarenka and Max Mirnyi in the final.
In 2016, Murray became the first male player ever to win two Olympic gold medals in singles. He defeated Juan Martin del Potro in four sets at the Rio Olympics to win another gold medal for Great Britain.
Andy Murray is followed by Rafael Nadal, who is the second most successful player at the Olympics among the 'Big Four'. The Spaniard won an Olympic gold medal early in his career, much before any of his rivals.
Rafael Nadal has won two Olympic gold medals overall - one in singles and another in doubles.
The Spaniard won the singles gold medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, beating Chilean Fernando Gonzalez in the final. Nadal added another gold medal to his trophy cabinet during the Rio Olympics in 2016, when he won a gold medal in doubles with his partner Marc Lopez.
Neither Roger Federer nor Novak Djokovic has won a gold medal in singles at the Olympics
Despite their incredible personal record, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have never won a singles gold medal at Olympics. However, Roger Federer does have a gold medal to his name, as he struck the yellow metal in doubles at Beijing in 2008.
Roger Federer teamed up with his countryman Stan Wawrinka in men's doubles at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. Federer lost in the quarterfinals of the singles tournament to James Blake but did manage to win a gold medal with Wawrinka.
Federer and Wawrinka defeated Simon Aspelin and Thomas Johansson of Sweden 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-3 in the final to win their first Olympics gold medal. Roger Federer also has a silver medal in singles, as he reached the final at the London Olympics before losing to Andy Murray.
While Federer, Murray and Nadal have a gold medal to their name, Novak Djokovic is still awaiting his first gold at the Olympics. The Serbian's best result at the Olympic Games is a bronze medal at Beijing in 2008, where he was defeated by Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals. Djokovic has failed to get on the Olympic podium since then.
The 2024 Olympics in Paris will be another big opportunity for Nadal, Murray and Djokovic to strike gold for their country. With Federer already retired, this Olympics is seemingly the last dance for the most decorated tennis stars of the last generation.