Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to contest another match in tennis’ greatest rivalry
In a thrilling three-setter, Rafael Nadal, a two-time Olympic champion, defeated Marton Fucsovics 6-1, 4-6, 6-4 to set up a highly anticipated showdown with another tennis great Novak Djokovic in Paris in 2024.
The 60th and maybe last chapter of this legendary rivalry between 38-year-old Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will be written in the men’s singles second round at Roland Garros.
Though it has been two years since their previous meeting—when Nadal prevailed in their quarter-final match in Paris—Djokovic leads their head-to-head rivalry 30-29.
Djokovic is the player who has beaten Rafael Nadal the most in ATP Tour competition.
The rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal is the most prolific in men’s tennis in the Open Era in terms of matches contested.
As such it is no surprise that Djokovic is the man who has toppled Nadal most often.
Former pro Alex Corretja believes that this rivalry is one that should be considered the greatest of all time.
“I think we should consider this the biggest one, even if you like Federer-Nadal or McEnroe-Borg, Edberg-Becker the most,” Corretja told Eurosport.
“Djokovic-Nadal, both of them are fighters, they always give 100% and you know that until the match is over they can come back. It’s so difficult to win points.“
Djokovic also holds a 15–13 lead in finals of all levels against Nadal, while the Spaniard leads 11–7 in all matches at the Majors and 5-4 in Grand Slam finals between the two friends and rivals.
Breaking it down further Djokovic leads 2–0 at the Australian Open and 2–1 at Wimbledon while Nadal leads 8–2 at the French Open and 2–1 at the US Open.
Djokovic is still the only player to have beaten Nadal at all four Grand Slams.
On hard courts, Djokovic leads Nadal 20–7 while the Raging Bull has won 20 of the 28 contests they have completed on clay.
Olympic Games News
Naomi Osaka makes honest confession after early Paris 2024 exit
Paris 2024 Olympics suffers latest withdrawal blow as 5th seed pulls out
Nadal and Djokovic have split their four meetings on grass evenly, although the current world No 1 has won the last two meetings between then icons on the surface.
The first ever meeting between the two occured back in 2006 in the quarterfinals of the French Open. On that day the win went to Nadal via a retirement from Djokovic after the king of clay had taken the first two sets.
They met every season between 2006 and 2022 breaking that sequence in 2023 when an injury for Nadal ensured that they wouldn’t share the court that season.
Read Next: Rafael Nadal pays touching tribute to retiring Andy Murray
