Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have faced each other for over 16 years, playing their first match at Roland Garros in 2006. These two legends forged one of the most feared rivalries in tennis history, meeting 59 times on the circuit and holding one win from each other.
Nadal and Djokovic shared many records while preventing each other from achieving many more and leaving Roger Federer even further behind. In his recent interview, Nadal named Djokovic as his biggest rival, praising the Serbian and calling him his toughest opponent.
At 36 and 35, Rafa and Novak are still among the best players in the world. They have won three Majors in 2022 to extend their legacy and set themselves apart from all their rivals. Novak has won 30 games against Rafa, taking the upper hand since late 2013 and never looking back against the Spaniard.
They have played just five meetings in the previous three seasons, and Nadal has won four of the last six, all on clay. Novak beat Rafa at Roland Garros last year, and the Spaniard got his revenge last June.
Nadal eliminated Djokovic 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 in four hours and 12 minutes on the Philippe-Chatrier court to advance to the semi-final. Despite cold, heavy and slow conditions, Nadal pulled out all the stops to beat Djokovic after another marathon, a well-known pattern in their rivalry.
Novak recovered in the second set and gave it his all against Rafa in the fourth, but missed set points and lost a tie break to take the exit door.
Rafael Nadal has made Novak Djokovic his biggest opponent.
Rafa made the difference with his second serve, keeping it safe and dominating Novak in the crucial moments to enter the last four.
Nadal saved eight of his 12 break chances and converted 43% of return points into seven breaks from 17 chances. The Spaniard dictated the pace with 57 winners and 43 unforced errors, leaving the Serb on a 48-53 ratio.
Unlike 12 months before, Rafa had a huge advantage in the shortest rallies, up to four shots. He also dominated Djokovic in the longest rallies to seal the deal in four sets and avoid a five-hour clash.
“My biggest rival is Novak Djokovic. After all, he is the closest to me in major tournaments, with 21 wins. Every time we face each other, it is part of tennis history.
Novak is the most dangerous rival I have ever faced, without a doubt,” Rafael Nadal said.
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