Where will he stop? Thanks to his coronation Sunday in Paris against Stefano Tsitsipas, Novak Djokovic is behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal more than ever in their famous three-man race, that of the largest number of Grand Slam titles.
We are now at 19 for the Serbian and 20 for the Spanish and the Swiss. Over the past two years, the world number one has made up for lost time at the cost of sensational face-to-face meetings with his two rivals. We chose three.
July 14, 2019: Wimbledon final against Federer
Without doubt the most magical. At that time, Djokovic gleaned “only” 15 Majors. His opponent of the day, Federer, is already at 20 and playing at home. The Serbian will however disgust the London public completely won over to the cause of his opponent by winning after a dazzling match of 4 hours and 57 minutes (7-6 (5), 1-6, 7-6 ( 4), 4-6, 13-12 (3)).
Federer, executioner of Rafael Nadal in the semifinals, lost in the two tie-breaks of the match against his executioner. Before giving in in the super tie-break of the decisive set. As in his first 2011 title, Nole will celebrate his coronation by tasting a few blades of grass.
Djokovic always won against Federer at Wimbledon in their five-set matches and in their three finals (2014, 2015, 2019).
January 30, 2020: Australian Open semi-final against Federer
As much the meetings on the English turf regularly give birth to sacred fights, as much those in Melbourne, where Djokovic has won a total of nine times, are often one-sided. The proof again that day. Of the entire semi-final, Roger Federer will only delude part of the first set, the time to lead 4-1 and 0-40, or three balls of 5-1. From there, Novak Djokovic restored the situation, then took control of operations not to let go until the final victory (7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 6-3).
“I have respect for the fact that he came onto the court, when he was obviously injured (Editor’s note: adductors) and was not at his best ”, declared Djokovic right after the match. The Serbian won two days later in the final against Dominic Thiem, his 17th title.
June 11, 2021: Roland-Garros semi-final against Nadal
He was down 5-0 in the first set and we thought he was lost to the cause. Nole will finally achieve his greatest feat on Parisian clay by dominating the Mallorcan after a breathtaking duel (3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2). Four hours and eleven minutes of pure happiness for the yellow ball and for the 5000 spectators of Philippe-Chatrier, authorized by the government to defy the curfew.
“It’s the most beautiful atmosphere and the most beautiful energy that I have experienced with the public,” said the Serbian after this semifinal anthology, which he will bear fruit this Sunday in the final against Stefanos Tsitsipas.
