Statistics aside, Sunday’s clash for the Coupe des Mousquetaires it will be a historic departure. A fitting end to an event contested in difficult conditions, amid a raging pandemic.
Nadal, who has reached the final without losing a set, is playing for a 13th French Open title and a record that equals the 20th Grand Slam crown, while Djokovic aims to be the first man in the Open Era in win all the greats at least twice.
It’s the third time Djokovic and Nadal have played in the Roland Garros men’s singles final, and the 34-year-old Spaniard leads that head-to-head 2-0.
“To play Novak, I need to play the best I can,” said Nadal, the game’s quintessential problem solver. “I know this is a court that I’ve been playing well on for so long, so that helps. But at the same time, he also has an incredible record here, being in the final rounds almost every time. He’s one of the toughest opponents possible. ”
Djokovic looks for a 38th Tour win of the season, his only loss to the Spaniard Pablo Carreño Busta at the US Open, where he was suspended. The Serbian, who took Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semi-finals, after going 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 4-6, 6-1, after holding match point in the 10th game of the third set, he is recovering from harsh conditions.
“The conditions are different now than what we are used to playing in May and June. That could be a better opportunity for me, the ball is not bouncing as high as he likes,” he said, adding: “Regardless of the conditions are still there, it’s Rafa and we play on clay. Best of five, at Roland Garros. I lost most of the matches we played with him on this court, but I also won a match in 2015, in straight sets in the quarterfinals ” .
His is not a clash of styles but of personalities. Djokovic and Nadal, who hold the record for the most Tour-level matches in the Open Era, face off in an opposing contest. “He is definitely my biggest rival,” said the world number one.
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