Whereas the Federer-Nadal rivalry was a conflict of kinds, the Spanish legend’s duels with the Serbian grasp had been nothing wanting gladiatorial. Nadal leads Federer 24-16 on head-to-head and Djokovic edges Rafa 31-29.
TOI takes a take a look at the perfect 5 from each these well-known rivalries:
NADAL VS FEDERER
First glimpse: 2005 Miami closing: Federer was the undisputed king and although he had misplaced to Rafa the earlier 12 months, the Swiss was simply unstoppable at that time.Nadal had gained the primary two units and was properly heading in the right direction to stopping Federer from successful his first Sunshine Double, however the expertise of the Swiss helped him win 2-6, 6-7, 7-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Rafa actually takes over clay: 2006 Rome Open closing: Rafa had overwhelmed Federer within the 2005 French Open semifinal, however the rivalry on clay hadn’t been settled but. The Rome closing was the primary of the clay swing that 12 months and if Federer had gained this match, the head-to head on this floor may not have appeared as lop-sided. Federer had two match-points within the fifth set Nadal prevailed 6-7, 7-6, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6.
Finest-ever: 2008 Wimbledon closing: Rafa’s autobiography begins with how he was feeling when there was a rain-break on this closing through the fifth set. The Spaniard had misplaced the sooner two Wimbledon finals to his biggest adversary and when he went two units up. Federer then performed a few of his greatest tennis to win the following two in tie-breakers. The rain breaks, the fading gentle – every little thing added to the drama, until Rafa held after breaking Federer within the 15th sport of the fifth set to win 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 , 6-7 , 9-7.
Cheers, tears and an attractive friendship: 2009 Australian Open: Although Nadal had gained the Wimbledon closing the 12 months earlier than, the favored mandate was Federer was the higher participant on sooner courts. This was the primary time they had been taking part in in a Grand Slam exterior Roland Garros and SW19, and the stakes had been huge. In a match that went from side to side, Nadal prevailed 7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2. The loss left Federer in tears and as he cried, it was Rafa who consoled him on the rostrum.
Roger’s redemption: 2017 Australian Open: Each had been coming again after huge accidents and it was a shock that the 2 made the ultimate. Federer attacked like by no means earlier than utilizing his single-handed backhand as an explosive weapon. However Rafa weathered the storm and was up a break within the fifth set. The final 4 video games of that match was in all probability the perfect Federer had ever performed whereas trailing towards Nadal. He ultimately gained 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
NADAL VS DJOKOVIC
Slam dunk: 2010 US Open closing: Nadal was making an attempt to emulate Federer and a choose few within the historical past of males’s tennis to win all 4 Majors. Djokovic, round that point, was establishing himself as the perfect participant on onerous courts. However Nadal was simply in a league of his personal that 12 months after successful his second Wimbledon title and went on to beat Novak 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 and make a spot for himself in historical past.
Marathon for all occasions: 2012 Australian Open closing: 5 hours, 53 minutes – it went on for that lengthy and by the tip of it, the 2 struggled to face on their toes within the humidity of Melbourne through the prize distribution ceremony. The fortunes fluctuated, however Novak stood robust. Nadal led 4-2 within the fifth however Novak’s resilience got here by in a 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5 win.
Nonetheless the Clayboy: 2013 French Open semis: Many name it the best clay court docket match of the brand new millennium. Novak was determined to interrupt his Roland Garros jinx however Rafa was simply being Rafa. He mentioned after successful the 4 hour 37 minute thriller 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5: “It is advisable love this sport…I misplaced an identical one in Australia, however this one was for me.”
Day-nighter: 2018 Wimbledon semis: One other epic encounter that rolled over to the following day, the match carrying on for an unreal 5hr 15min on grass-court. Novak wasn’t at his greatest after getting back from an harm, however he refused to surrender. On Saturday afternoon, the ultimate scoreline learn 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (9), 4-6, 10-Eight in favour of the Serb because the tennis world revelled on the jaw-dropping resilience of the 2 champions.
One final time: 2021 French Open semis: Nadal had blown away Novak within the 2020 French Open closing. The battle for many Slams was additionally on and Nadal desperately wished to win. The standard of the factors performed was excellent, the 2 matching one another shot for shot. Novak gained 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2.
