“It’s his home” – Djokovic wants to stop Nadal on his way to 13th title

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have met 55 times. No other duel has been more frequent in the history of professional tennis. Now world number one from Serbia is demanding the record of champion of Spain in the final of the French Open in Paris.

Novak Djokovic is number one in the world. In this crown-torn tennis year, he has won every match he has played to the end.

ATP Cup, Australian Open, Dubai, Cincinnati Masters, Rome Masters – The 33-year-old Serbian did not have to congratulate his opponent on a victory after the final rally. Only at the US Open do the official statistics for the 2020 tournament show an “L” for “Defeat” because the round of 16 against Spaniard Pablo Carreño Busta was canceled and Djokovic was disqualified. In anger, he had thrown a ball and hit a linesman.

And yet, the former protégé of Boris Becker is not going as the favorite to the title designated with an asterisk in the final of the French Open on Sunday (3 pm / SRF info) in Paris, which is expected by all experts and longed for by all the fans.

Because his opponent is the winner of twelve tournaments, the record champion and indisputably the best clay court player in the world: world number two Rafael Nadal. “Of course the conditions are different than usual when we play in May or June. But hey, regardless of whether it’s Rafa, it’s a final and it’s on clay, “said Djokovic.

Last test of strength of the best tennis players of today

There has been no more frequent duel in the history of professional tennis: Djokovic and Roger Federer have met 50 times, Nadal and Federer 40 times. Of the 55 fights so far, Djokovic has won 29, Nadal 26. However, in the red ash fields in Paris, the Serbian only managed to beat the southpaw from Mallorca: in 2015 Djokovic defeated Nadal in the quarter-finals, but then he lost in the final against the Swiss Stan Wawrinka.

“I will look back on this match and try to remember the positives and find good tactics against him,” Djokovic said after defeating Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas in five sets in the semi-finals on Friday night. “I don’t feel physically exhausted.” Everything is set for the showdown, for the final of the last Grand Slam tournament this season, for the climax of a tournament that was also characterized by crown conditions, spectator exclusions and debates over test results.

With a victory number 100, comes the title number 13 and the jump to Federer

Nadal, who is seeking the 13th title in his 13th final in Paris and has won 99 of 101 matches there, doesn’t just want to maintain and expand his impressive streak. With a 20th Grand Slam title, he could also match Federer, who has already finished his season. Following his semi-final victory over Argentine Diego Schwartzman, Nadal, who is not a fan of outlandish predictions before a match, said: “I will give everything to make this happen.”