5 Rafael Nadal-Novak Djokovic matches that cemented their rivalry as one of the best in tennis
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic form one of the best rivalries in tennis and together with Roger Federer, the Big Three have dominated the tennis arena over the last two decades.
However, with the new generation taking over and Nadal on his way to retirement following Federer, the upcoming second round match between the Spaniard and Djokovic at the 2024 Paris Olympics is perhaps one last chance for tennis fans to witness and cherish a classic Nadal-Djokovic encounter. Djokovic currently holds 30 wins to Nadal's 29 in their head-to-head and their battle in Paris will mark their 60th encounter, but their first ever at the Olympics.
Here's a trip down memory lane to remind you of some classic Nadal-Djokovic clashes that have cemented their rivalry as one of the best in tennis.
#5 2013 French Open semifinal
Before clinching the eighth of his 14 French Open titles, Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic 6-4,3-6,6-1,6-7,9-7 in an intense semifinal that lasted four hours and 37 minutes.
This match between the two legends was compared by many to the 2012 Australian Open final where the Serb got the better of the Spaniard in one of the best matches in tennis history. However, by winning this particular encounter Nadal avenged his loss, and even compared it to his loss in Australia. He said (via Tennis.com):
“I lost a match like this in Australia. This one was for me.”
#4 2011 US Open final
A year prior to the 2011 US Open final, Nadal had completed his Career Grand Slam by defeating Novak Djokovic in 2010 at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in the States. However, the Serb took his revenge in 2011 and got the better of the Spaniard 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 6-1. This was also the tournament where more than a decade later, the Serb created history by winning his 24th Grand Slam.
A match that took place in a relatively nascent stage of their iconic rivalry, the 2011 US Open final took a little more than four hours and was Djokovic's first US Open title.
The match was interrupted by unfavorable weather conditions but the two legends produced some of their best tennis.
Speaking about the match, Nadal said (via Tennis Majors):
“He’s having (fewer) mistakes than before. In my opinion, that’s all. He’s enough confident in every moment to keep believing in one more ball, one more ball. So that’s why (he was so dominant). I go back to Spain more happy today than after the Wimbledon final (where the Serb defeated Nadal), because after here I think I am on the right way to try to win him. After Wimbledon I didn’t feel that.”
#3 2009 Mutua Madrid Open semifinal
In what turned out to be the longest match in the history of the ATP 1000 Masters and one that is hailed by many as the best in the history of the tournament, the "King of Clay" defeated Djokovic 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 in a thrilling four-hour-long encounter.
This was the 18th out of their 59 on-court meetups and although there were two years to go before the Serb would finally beat Nadal on clay, the fight he put up against the Spaniard gave him the confidence to believe that he could do the same.
Talking about the match some years later, Djokovic said (via Tennis.com):
“It was an incredible match, had some match points. We were rallying in one of those match points, and he hit an incredible inside-in forehand winner on the line.”
He added, “I don’t remember exactly the scoreline, but every set was close. And then I started to believe I could win against him on clay.”
#2 2021 French Open semifinal
In their ninth encounter at Roland Garros and one of the eight times when Djokovic got the better of Nadal on clay, the Serb defeated the Spaniard 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2. With this match, Djokovic took his revenge for their encounter the previous year where Nadal defeated him in straight sets to equal Roger Federer's record of 20 Grand Slam titles.
Djokovic went on to lift his second French Open trophy after defeating Stefanos Tsitispas in the final but hailed this clash against Nadal as one of his best French Open matches.
As suggested by the scoreline, the Serb faced down a formidable challenge from the Spaniard, whom he referred to as his "biggest rival" (via The Guardian):
“Definitely the best match that I was part of ever in Roland Garros for me, and top three matches that I ever played in my entire career, considering the quality of tennis, playing my biggest rival on the court where he has had so much success and has been the dominant force in the last 15-plus years, and the atmosphere which was completely electric.”
#1 2012 Australian Open final
The longest Grand Slam singles final of the Open Era, the historic 2012 Australian Open final between Djokovic and Nadal once again proved to the world that the games produced by their rivalry are almost tennis perfection.
The match took five hours and 53 minutes to conclude and came to be known as one of the best tennis matches of all time where the defending champion Djokovic faced down a tough challenge from one of his biggest rivals before he managed to defeat him 5-7,6-4,6-2,6-7, 7-5.
In continuation to the quality of tennis that the two produce, their rivalry is also known for the sportsmanship, mutual love, and respect between the two, as exemplified by the Serb's post-match comments(via BBC):
"Rafa is one of best players ever and one of the most respected guys on tour. Unfortunately there couldn't be two winners and I hope we have many more matches like this."
Similarly, acknowledging his opponent's competition, Nadal said:
"This one was very special. But I really understand that was a really special match, and probably a match that's going to be in my mind not because I lost, no, because of the way that we played."
While the world is geared up for what might be their last on-court encounter, the Rafal Nadal-Novak Djokovic rivalry is likely to continue being recognized as not only one of the best in the history of tennis but one worth cherishing across all of sport.