Novak Djokovic’s rivalry with Rafael Nadal was one of the greatest of all time, featuring classic bouts from 2006 to 2024.
In their pursuits of success on the ATP Tour, they met in several finals and semifinals, pushing each other to their limits on the grandest stages in tennis.
Though Nadal ultimately retired trailing the Serb in their head-to-head by 29-31, he had his number early on in their careers, winning 14 of their first 18 clashes.
The Spaniard was a dominant force, and by Djokovic‘s own admission, sometimes he had matches wrapped up before they had even begun.
What Rafael Nadal used to do around Novak Djokovic before matches
In an interview with 60 Minutes in 2023, Djokovic recalled: “I’m playing Nadal in Roland Garros, and I have his locker next to my locker, right?
“So we are so close and we’re trying to give each other space, but then the locker room is also not that big, and the way you jump around like Nadal does before we go out on the court, in the locker room, he’s doing sprints next to you.
“I can even hear the music he’s listening to, you know, in his headphones, so you know it’s p——— me off.
“Early in my career, I didn’t realise how all that’s part of the scenario, right? So I was getting intimidated by that.
“But it’s also motivating me to do stuff myself and to show that I’m ready, you know, I’m ready for a battle, for a war.”
Novak Djokovic’s first win over Rafael Nadal at a Grand Slam
Nadal was undefeated against Djokovic in their first five Grand Slam matchups, two of which resulted in walkovers.
He won their semifinals at Roland Garros in 2007 and 2008, and beat him in the final of the US Open in 2010.
In 2011, though, Djokovic finally won against Nadal at a major, beating him in the Wimbledon final over four sets to emerge victorious at the All England Club for the first time.
The triumph marked what would be his third Grand Slam title of that year, in what remains one of his most dominant seasons on tour.
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