Nadal v Djokovic – The Greatest Rivalry in the history of Men’s Tennis

Novak Djokovic defeated his great rival Rafa Nadal at the Paris 2024 Olympics Tennis tournament in straight sets in what was their 60th meeting, a record for the men’s game. But the potential significance of this meeting could not be lost on anyone in attendance at Roland Garros or watching around the world. Could this really be the last time we get to watch the greatest rivals in men’s tennis face-off?

Djokovic, who had knee surgery just eight weeks ago before reaching a tenth Wimbledon Final, is chasing that elusive first Olympic Gold Medal to complete his career Golden Slam, a medal his great rival Nadal achieved in the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

With his win, Djokovic extended his record against the Spaniard to 31-29, and how fitting, if it is to be the final time they face off, that it took place at Roland Garros, a place so embedded in the history of their rivalry. They have met on ten occasions at the French Open, an Open Era record between two players at a single tournament.

What makes their rivalry the greatest in the history of Men’s tennis?

The men’s game has thrown up many great rivalries over the decades. McEnroe-Borg, Edberg-Becker and, of course, Nadal-Federer, but for me, the Djokovic-Nadal rivalry stands above the rest.

Firstly, the fact that they have met 60 times is astonishing. But it is not only the sheer number of times they have played that is unbelievable, it is the level and importance of so many of their matches that helps put their rivalry on another level to the rest. They have met in 28 tour-level finals (with Djokovic leading 15-13), including 9 Grand Slam deciders, in which Nadal leads 5-4 and amazingly, the rivalry is only one of two in the men’s game to be involved in finals at all four Grand Slams.

Djokovic is the only man to defeat Nadal in all four Majors, and the Serb is the man with the most career wins against Nadal. Likewise, Nadal has the most career wins against Djokovic. Djokovic is the only player with more than one victory against Nadal at Rolland Garros in 2015 and 2021, while Nadal is the only player to defeat Djokovic in two hard-court Grand Slam Finals, the US Open in 2010 and 2013.

Nadal was the dominant force at the beginning of the rivalry, winning sixteen of their first twenty-three meetings. This was followed by Djokovic beating Nadal seven times in a row, then Nadal winning six out of the next seven, and Djokovic winning sixteen out of the last twenty-three matches.

Key Matches in the Rivalry

Another factor in why the Djokovic-Nadal rivalry is the best of all time is the enormous quality of tennis on display in their meetings. They have been involved in some of the most important and greatest matches ever witnessed on a tennis court. Below are three that stand out in the rivalry.

2012 Australian Open Final

This meeting at the Australian Open was the third Grand Slam in succession where they had played in the final. It was a much-anticipated Final, and it turned out to be arguably the greatest match in the history of the sport. It is also the longest Grand Slam singles Final of the Open Era, lasting five hours and fifty-three minutes.

2013 French Open Semi-Final

In what was seen as the de-facto Final of the 2013 French Open, Nadal gained some revenge for the 2012 Australian Open epic with victory in another five-set marathon for the ages. It was a match of twists and turns, with the biggest one coming in the final set when Djokovic, up a break, touched the net on a winner which would have put him serving for the match. Djokovic never really recovered, and Nadal turned the match around and emerged with the win.

2021 French Open Semi-Final

In the most anticipated match of the tournament Djokovic triumphed in another epic, this one lasting four hours and eleven minutes. It was only the third defeat for Nadal at Roland Garros and his first Semi-Final defeat at the French Open, having previously been 13-0. Djokovic would go on to win the tournament and become the first man in the Open Era to win each Grand Slam on multiple occasions. Nadal would later match the feat with victory in the 2022 Australian Open.

The Last Dance?

If the 60th meeting is indeed the final time we get to witness the rivalry between Djokovic and Nadal, it, for me, will go down as the greatest rivalry in the history of the men’s game.

Nadal-Federer may be the most common choice because of the popularity of both players, but in terms of the number of matches they have played, the scale and importance of so many of their meetings and most importantly, the quality of tennis they have produced, Djokovic-Nadal must go down as the greatest. Let’s just hope there’s a 61st!

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✒️ Liam Lacey – Tennis Betting Expert

Liam Lacey is a sportswriter from County Laois in Ireland who specializes in delivering content on GAA, horse races, and football matters (though he does see himself as somewhat of a tennis aficionado also).

Liam has written about tennis, All Ireland Gaelic Football and Hurling Championships, Premier League, Champions League and international football, offering expert opinions and match previews and predictions. Occasionally, even getting some right!