French Open: Best Clashes of Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic in Grand Slams

Here’s a look at the seven of their best Grand Slam matches:

When Nadal won:

2012 French Open final

• Nadal 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5

In a final that was played over two days due to several rain delays, Nadal hit 34 winners to 29 unforced errors, and led two sets and a break before the Serb took eight consecutive games and a 2-1 lead in the fourth set, with a break, into Monday.

When play resumed, Nadal broke back and went on to wrap up victory in three hours and 49 minutes for what was his seventh title in Paris.

“It is an honour and for me the most important tournament, the greatest in my eyes. This is an unforgettable moment,” said Nadal.

Djokovic added: “The playing conditions were not good. But it’s not anybody’s fault, and it’s not the reason why I lost today.”

2013 French Open semi-final

• Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3/7), 9-7

Djokovic was trying to become the eighth man to complete the career Grand Slam while Nadal was bidding for an eighth title in Paris. Djokovic had earlier in the season defeated the Spaniard on clay in Monte Carlo, ending Nadal’s 46-match win streak.

In the Roland Garros semi-final, Nadal was 6-5 up in the fourth set and two points from victory but Djokovic hit back and then led 4-2 in the final set before Nadal dug deep to triumph after four hours and 37 minutes.

“I want to congratulate Novak, he’s a great champion and he will win here at Roland Garros one day, I’m sure,” said Nadal.

World number one Djokovic added: “It’s been an unbelievable match but all I can feel now is disappointment. I congratulate him, that’s why he’s a champion.”

2014 French Open final

• Nadal 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4

Nadal again prevented Djokovic from completing a career Grand Slam as he became the first player to win nine titles at one major. It was also his 14th Slam trophy.

Despite taking the first set, the final ended in a whimper for Djokovic who double-faulted on championship point.

Djokovic admitted that Nadal was probably the fresher player as the final progressed in brutal 30-degree heat.

“For me, the most important tournament, the greatest in my eyes,” said Nadal.

Djokovic said: “I was not at the level I was at when I beat him in Rome last month. It takes it out of you. Rafa was the better player.”

2022 French Open quarter-final

• Nadal 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7/4)

Nadal edged a late-night classic to reach his 15th French Open semi-final.

The 13-time Roland Garros champion won the pair’s 59th career meeting after a four-hour-and-12-minute quarter-final on a raucous Court Philippe Chatrier.

Nadal sealed his eighth victory in 10 French Open matches against defending champion Djokovic at 1:16 am local time.

“I’m very emotional. For me it’s incredible to play here,” said Nadal.

Nadal took his record in Paris to 110 wins and just three losses since his 2005 title-winning debut and now only trails Djokovic 30-29 in their career head-to-head.

When Djokovic won:

2012 Australian Open final

• Djokovic 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 7-5

In the longest ever Grand Slam final at five hours and 53 minutes, Djokovic came back from 4-2 down in the fifth set. It was the third successive Grand Slam final that Djokovic and Nadal had contested, and saw the Serb extend his winning streak over Nadal to seven straight matches.

“I think it comes out on the top because, just the fact that we played almost six hours is incredible,” said Djokovic when asked if it had been his greatest ever match.

An exhausted Nadal added: “Physically it was the toughest match I ever played.”

2015 French Open quarter-final

• Djokovic 7-5, 6-3, 6-1

Djokovic became only the second man after Robin Soderling in 2009 to defeat Nadal on the red clay of Roland Garros as he maintained his hopes of completing the career Grand Slam.

Djokovic was to lose the final to Stan Wawrinka but would win his first Roland Garros title 12 months later with victory in the final over Andy Murray.

“It’s definitely a big win, a match that I will remember for a long time,” said Djokovic.

“He was better than me. That’s it. It’s very simple,” said Nadal who was celebrating his 29th birthday.

2018 Wimbledon semi-final

• Djokovic 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (11/9), 3-6, 10-8

Just weeks before Wimbledon, Djokovic had suffered a shock quarter-final exit at the French Open at the hands of Marco Cecchinato, the world number 72 from Italy, and had even threatened to skip the grasscourt Grand Slam.

The semi-final was another classic with Djokovic saving five break points in the fifth set before triumphing after five hours and 15 minutes.

“One of the longest matches of my career. I am overwhelmed,” said Djokovic.