Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will set-up a blockbuster French Open 2020 final and it is another chapter in their magnificent rivalry. Novak Djokovic is the only player in history to have a superior head-to-head record against both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, considered the two modern greats of the game. Nadal is bidding to win a record 13th French Open title and equal Federer's mark of 20 while Djokovic is bidding to become the first man since Rod Laver to win all the Grand Slams more than twice in the Open Era.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will set-up a blockbuster French Open 2020 final and it is another chapter in their magnificent rivalry. Novak Djokovic is the only player in history to have a superior head-to-head record against both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, considered the two modern greats of the game. Nadal is bidding to win a record 13th French Open title and equal Federer's mark of 20 while Djokovic is bidding to become the first man since Rod Laver to win all the Grand Slams more than twice in the Open Era.
Both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have clashed with each other 55 times in the Open era which is the most for any rivalry. Novak Djokovic holds a 29-26 head-to-head advantage against Rafael Nadal. However, while Novak Djokovic has dominated Nadal on hard courts and on grass, Nadal has been superior in Clay. Djokovic has won against Nadal only once in the French Open and he will be determined to ensure that he becomes the first player in histoty to make Rafael Nadal lose a final in the French Open. Here is a look back at some of their epic rivalries.
1. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic rivalry
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It was the first major meeting in a Grand Slam for these two players. Rafael Nadal headed into the match having lost three consecutive matches against Novak Djokovic. However, in the 2010 US Open final, Rafael Nadal defeated the Serbian 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 to win his first US Open title and become the seventh man to complete the career Grand Slam. Though rain delayed their meeting by a day, Nadal made a confident start to the championship match as he broke Djokovic. Nadal regained the lead as he converted on his sixth break point of the next game. The pair was locked at 4-4, 30/30, in the second set when rain suspended play for one hour and 57 minutes. When they returned, Djokovic broke the Spaniard for a third time to force a set off of Nadal for the first time. However, Nadal was in top form and he won the US Open for the first time to complete the career slam. (Image credit: Twitter)
2. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic rivalry
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Rafael Nadal, who was World No. 1 and the Wimbledon title winner in 2008 and 2010, met Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final in 2011. For two sets, Djokovic was superb but Nadal showed how he had earned 20 straight victories. Both players exchanged breaks of serve at the start of the fourth set, before Djokovic regained control to complete a 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 victory in two hours and 28 minutes of play to lift his third Grand Slam championship title. It capped a dream fortnight for the Serbian, who became World No. 1 immediately. (Image credit: Twitter)
3. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic rivalry
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World No. 1 Novak Djokovic extended his winning streak to seven straight matches over Rafael Nadal in the longest Grand Slam championship final on record over five hours and 53 minutes at the 2012 Australian Open. It surpassed the previous record of four hours and 54 minutes when Mats Wilander defeated Ivan Lendl at the 1988 US Open. In a pulsating contest on Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, Djokovic rallied from a 2-4 deficit in the fifth set to fight back and claim a dramatic victory. It was labelled as the greatest final in the history of the Australian Open. (Image credit: Twitter)
4. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic rivalry
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Novak Djokovic had not yet won the French Open when he clashed with Rafael Nadal in the 2014 final at Roland Garros. However, Rafael Nadal spoiled the Serbian’s dream, retained his No. 1 Ranking and became the first player in history to win nine titles at an individual Grand Slam. He also drew level with Pete Sampras at No. 2 in the Grand Slam title leaders list on 14 major crowns.The Spaniard had lost eight of his past nine sets against Djokovic entering this Roland Garros final. Although he lost the first set, Nadal showed his dominance on clay and he went on to win the match 3-6,7-5, 6-2, 6-4. (Image credit: Twitter)
5. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic rivalry
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If Rafael Nadal is the king of Paris and Roland Garros, then Novak Djokovic is the undisputed king of Melbourne and the Rod Laver Arena. During the Australian Open final in 2019, Djokovic was in irresistible form and put together one of the best performances of his career as he demolished Nadal 6-3,6-2,6-3 in three straight sets. In capturing his 15th Grand Slam championship crown, the 73rd tour-level trophy of his career, Djokovic broke a tie with Pete Sampras (14) for third-most Grand Slam triumphs. It was also his record-breaking seventh trophy at the Australian Open, moving past Roy Emerson and Roger Federer. He labelled this match as the best he had ever played against Nadal in a final of a Grand Slam. (Image credit: Twitter)
