A Nadal-Djokovic remains a classic on the circuit. A must. In Grand Slam, the duels between the Serb and the Spaniard gave rise to some legendary matches. A look back at some of the most memorable episodes.
Australia Open Final 2012 Djokovic Victory 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 (5-7) 7-5
5h53: the duration of this arm wrestling anthology. The longest Grand Slam final in tennis history. 48 hours after a terrible battle in five sets, already, against Murray in the semi-finals, Djokovic finds unexpected physical resources to bend the Mallorcan.
2013 Roland-Garros semi-final Victory for Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7, 9-7
Perhaps their finest duel with an exceptional fifth set. In his Parisian kingdom, the Spaniard is pushed to his last entrenchments by the Serb. Led 4-2 in the 5th set, the Majorcan finally won 9-7 after 4:37 of a contested showdown in scorching heat. Guilty of 75 unforced errors, the Djoker breaks at the end of the suspense against the Iberian metronome.
Wimbledon 2018 semi-final Djokovic victory 6-4, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 10-8
Another showdown of anthology. Straddling two days, Novak Djokovic took 5 hours and 16 minutes to overcome Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals (6-4, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 10-8). The Chiefs’ fight thrilled tennis fans. The last set lasted an hour and a half, and marked the resurrection of Djokovic who was coming out of two very complicated years mentally and physically.
Semi-final of Roland-Garros 2021Victoire de Djokovic 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2
Last year, the two best enemies had delivered a duel of anthology without the slightest dead time. The spectators had vibrated and the curfew then set at 11 p.m. (Covid-19 requires) had jumped. Djokovic had triumphed (3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2) in 4:11. The Spaniard, foot in pain, it is true, recorded only his third defeat at Roland-Garros (after those conceded against Robin Söderling in the round of 16 in 2009 and… Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals in 2015).
Final US Open 2011Vokoire de Djokovic 6-2 6-4 6-7 (3-7) 6-1
The Spaniard lost his service 12 times in four sets, Djokovic 6, in this duel with often Dantesque exchanges. At the top of his game in 2011, Djokovic was clearly above his opponent that day. The fighter Nadal must surrender.
