Rafael Nadal fights back tears after beating Novak Djokovic in French Open epic

Rafael Nadal fought to hold back tears during an emotional interview following his dramatic triumph over Novak Djokovic at the French Open.

Rafael Nadal held his nerve in the end. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal remains in the hunt for a 14th French Open title, beating Novak Djokovic in a thrilling quarter-final on Wednesday.

The Spaniard came out on top 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6 (7-4) as the pair’s marathon match lasted more than four hours and stretched past 1am local time in Paris.

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The rollercoaster ride was full of momentum swings as both players gained the upper hand at different stages of the match. Djokovic looked certain to send things into a deciding fifth set when serving at 5-3 in the fourth, but Nadal fought back bravely to send it to a tiebreak.

After staving off set points, he wasn’t going to let the opportunity slip. Nadal raced to 3-0 in the breaker then soon it was 5-1 and although Djokovic clawed a couple of points back it was too little, too late as his opponent held his nerve.

Nadal will play Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals, after the German beat teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz earlier on Wednesday.

Victory is sweet. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

An emotional Nadal was holding back tears in his on-court interview and appeared to be surprised at the level he managed to reach.

“To win against Novak there’s only one way — to play at your best since the first point until the last,” Nadal said. “And tonight it was one of this magic nights for me. Unexpected level.

“Without a doubt there’s no other place like this one for me. It’s the most important court of my career, the most special one. And as I said, for me to feel the love of everyone here in Paris means everything to me.”

Nadal didn’t take the bait when told he should come back to Roland Garros next year because he’s so loved, replying: “See you in two days (for the semi-final), that’s all I can say.”

The emotional reaction led some to float the theory Nadal may soon announce this French Open will be his last. Tennis reporter Gaspar Ribeiro Lanca tweeted: “Based on today’s speech/reaction and his previous words, I wouldn’t be surprised if Rafael Nadal pulls a Nico Rosberg-like move and drops the bomb on Friday/Sunday, announcing this was his last #RolandGarros.”

Pamela Maldonado of Yahoo Sports wrote: “I can’t help but feel we are watching a finale. If Nadal wins his 14th French Open and 22nd slam, this could be the end.

“If he loses, this could be the end. I’m cherishing these last few days because I don’t know what happens after.”

Nadal was asked if this could be his final French Open at his post-match press conference, prompting him to reference the long-running foot injury that continues to plague him as his career winds down.

“I am old enough to not hide things or come here and say something I don’t believe,” Nadal said, alluding to the numerous times this tournament he’s said he is treating each match like it could be his last at Roland Garros.

“I have what I have in the foot, so if we aren’t able to find an improvement or a small solution then it’s becoming super difficult.”

It was an emotional moment for the Spaniard. (Photo by Anne-Christine POUJOULAT / AFP)

Djokovic left the court immediately after match point and headed straight to his press conference, where he graciously paid tribute to Nadal.

“Congratulations, he was the better player in important moments,” he said.

“He was just able to take his tennis to another level in those particular moments in the beginning of all sets.

“I had chances in the fourth, served for the set, couple of set points, just one or two shots could have taken me into the fifth then it’s anybody’s match. He showed why he is a great champion. No doubt he deserved it, congrats to him and his team.

“I know that I could’ve played better, but I didn’t use my chances.

“I gave my best. I know that I could have played better. I’m proud of fighting and staying to the last shot. I lost to the better player today.”

Nadal wanted to play the quarter-final during the day but his wish was denied and instead the clash took place at night, but the players didn’t get on court until after 9pm.

Asked about the scheduling, Djokovic said: “There are a difference of opinions about the night sessions. I think they are starting too late.

“But again, TV decides. That’s the world we are living in. They (broadcasters) give the money.”

Djokovic didn’t quite have enough in the tank. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Wild match full of ups and downs

Nine commentator Brett Phillips called it an “astonishing” result as tennis fans were treated to something special.

In a sign of what was to come, Nadal broke Djokovic in a marathon opening game that lasted a whopping 10 minutes. He continued to pile on the pain, looking unstoppable as he wrapped up the opener 6-2 while his Serbian rival struggled in the sluggish conditions at night.

The second set started the same way as the first — with a lengthy opening 13-minute game resulting in another Nadal break.

Djokovic let out a roar — the first real sign of visceral emotion we’d seen — when he forced yet another deuce, but his opponent kept his cool and closed out his seventh break point opportunity for a 1-0 lead.

Nadal went up 2-0 then secured a double break to march towards a 3-0 lead, before Djokovic finally scored a break of his own and held serve to work his way back to 2-3.

For the first time in the match, Djokovic looked like he was getting comfortable. He turned the tables on the 21-time major winner, forcing the issue with thundering ground strokes and gaining the ascendancy.

An astonishing 18-minute, 43-second game fell in Djokovic’s favour and it was all level at 3-3 after his second break of the set.

Djokovic then let out a huge roar at the change of ends after holding serve for 4-3 as he mounted his comeback. Incredibly, it took nearly 30 minutes to complete two games as both players threw everything at each other.

Soon it was 5-4 and Djokovic kept his foot on the throat, breaking again to claim the set 6-4 in 84 minutes.

After being rattled, Nadal regained his composure and went up 3-1 in the third set as the clock ticked towards midnight local time.

All the momentum Djokovic rode in the second set looked to evaporate. Nadal roared back into the contest with a double break for a 4-1 advantage as the temperature dropped considerably in the French capital.

Daily Mail tennis writer Mike Dickson tweeted: “All the folks in the courtside corporate boxes covered in blankets — it’s starting to look like the Eastbourne seafront in April.”

The temperature wasn’t worrying Nadal, who claimed the third set 6-2 as Djokovic lost his way badly.

Supporters wore blankets as they took in the epic encounter. (Photo by Christophe ARCHAMBAULT / AFP)

For a change, Djokovic actually held serve to start the fourth set but he showed signs of frustration in the very next game, smacking the net with his racquet after missing an easy volley.

That gesture sparked boos and jeers from the crowd but Djokovic feeds on hate and the rollercoaster ride continued as he broke Nadal to go ahead 3-0.

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Nadal also lost his cool early in the set, arguing with the umpire, who jumped down from his chair to check a ball mark after the 13-time champion thought he’d pulled off the most miraculous cross-court backhand drop shot. Hawkeye proved the ball had landed just wide of the line.

Djokovic maintained the rage and took a 5-2 lead as he tried to push the match into a deciding fifth set. But he hit rocky footing when serving for the set at 5-3 in yet another marathon game as Nadal broke back for 4-5.

The match passed four hours as we went to a tiebreak where Nadal iced proceedings to keep his French Open campaign alive.