The final is a rematch of the ages, a battle of titans and Djokovic’s battle with his ‘greatest rival’
They are two of the greatest tennis players of all time, with an enduring rivalry and a history of extraordinary, record-smashing finals. And on Sunday, they’ll add another chapter to their story.
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Rafael Nadal is the greatest rival Novak Djokovic has ever faced said the Serbian ahead of Sunday’s already heavily anticipated men’s singles final in Melbourne.
Djokovic, who earlier had polished off Lucas Pouille in his semi-final for the loss of just four games, said his great matches against Nadal had been pivotal to forging a career that has brought him 14 grand slams, including six Australian Open, titles to-date.
“I’ve played so many matches against him, epic matches on this court (Rod Laver Arena). The one that stands out was the finals of six hours almost in 2012 (which Djokovic won). Hopefully we don’t go that long this time,” he said.
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Djokovic is yet to talk his two young children through that matches.
“I’ll probably not have them sit down and watch it because I don’t like my children to watch TV that long. But I would probably present it in more a general concept of our rivalry. That match would be icing on the cake.
“Nadal has historically throughout my life and career been the greatest rival I ever played against on all the surfaces. Some matches that we had against each other were a great turning point in my career, they have made me rethink my game.”
Djokovic leads Nadal 27-25 head to head but has lost to the Spaniard nine times in grand slam matches. Their last encounter at Wimbledon 2018, which Djokovic clinched 10-8 in the final set, is the type of match he lives for he said.
“Those kind of encounters have also made me the player I am today, without a doubt. What more can you ask for? This is where you want to be.”
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Beating Nadal at Wimbledon after several months off after surgery to a long standing elbow injury earlier in the year, set the tone for a triumphant second half of 2018.
“That was the match that mentally turned things around for me. Winning against Nadal, that catapulted me mentally to a different, more confident self. It allowed me to excel in the months after that.”
Intriguingly for a world leading athlete, Djokovic said that winning is not always everything.
“The Wimbledon semi-finals this year, finals of Australian Open 2012, those are the matches that just come to my mind where feels like it’s unfair if you have one winner. Those kind of matches where you go the distance and you push each other to the very limit.
“Of course, you want to come out as a winner, but the same time understanding that you really took everything you have out on the court and you left your heart, you can be content with that.
“That’s what makes you, I guess, enjoy it more, because you’re not regretting or you’re not feeling like you’re leaving something out in your tank. When you go full out emotionally, physically, mentally, you might as well enjoy it.”
Originally published as The final is a rematch of the ages, a battle of titans and Djokovic’s battle with his ‘greatest rival’
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