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In the final of the French Open, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are more than the title. These are eternal records.
They face off for the 56th time
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
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“Trying to become the all-time number one is a great goal,” says Novak Djokovic. And he lets his great opponents Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal know exactly what he’s aiming for: “I think I can win the most slams and break the record for the longest No.1.”
The world’s number one made this clear statement on a television show in May. Sunday’s French Open final should now be the next important step on the road to the big goal. Djokovic could get his 18th title and get close to Nadal except for one. Federer is 20 years old.
Djokovic sees Nadal as favorite
And Djokovic seems to be ready for it. He’s playing an exceptional year with just one loss in 38 tour matches, and that was the result of the embarrassing disqualification at the US Open.
That is the biggest challenge in sport.
Currently he would be the easy favorite even against Nadal (ATP 2) in almost every other tournament. But not at Roland Garros. “Here he is, of course, the favorite,” Djokovic admitted after his five-set victory in the semi-finals against Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas.
“After all the victories, it’s your living room.” He sees it as the “greatest challenge in sport” to beat Nadal in the arena in Paris. He’s done it once before: in 2015 he inflicted one of only two defeats at Roland Garros. Six times he left the field as a loser.
Nadal is even more cautious in his statements. He does not pass up his exceptional position in Paris with 12 titles and is more modest in his career goals. “Of course, I think it’s great to give up most of the Grand Slam titles, but it’s not something I’m obsessed with,” he said earlier this year: “And when Roger or Novak are in front of me, life goes on. also continue “.
Nadal with the 100th win for the 13th title?
Still, the prospect of catching Federer with another win in Paris should be a great incentive for Nadal. After his 6: 3, 6: 3, 7: 6 victory in the semifinals against Diego Schwartzman, Nadal said before the 56th duel with Djokovic (heads-up 26:29). There he will once again be crowned king of the clay with his 100th victory in Paris.
