In an interview with Serbian media outlet Sporcal, Novak Djokovic recently disagreed with a huge Rafael Nadal claim that the Serb would have been frustrated if he did not own the record for the most Grand Slams. The duo do not share a great friendship and this was just another chapter to it. However, they share a remarkable statistic about their record at the Australian Open and the French Open.
After his record 24th Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, Novak Djokovic has found widespread acceptance as the GOAT of tennis. Rafael Nadal, though, is no small name, matching and even eclipsing some of his records. One such statistic where they are equal is the number of times both have reached the quarter-finals at the two aforementioned Slams combined.
Nadal, Djokovic tied at Australian-French Open record
Consistency has been a key factor in Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal creating a glittering legacy for themselves. A testament to their consistent performances is their record of reaching the quarter-finals at the Australian Open and the French Open. They have made it to the last eight stage 30 times each, across the two Grand Slam events combined.
Surprisingly, Djokovic has reached more Roland Garros quarter-finals (17) than the ‘King of Clay’ Nadal (16). Whereas the Spaniard has qualified for more QFs at the Australian Open (14) than the event’s poster boy, Djokovic (13). Ironically, the World No.1’s first quarter-final in Paris was against Nadal in 2006, which he eventually lost. He got his revenge by defeating him in the 2015 Roland Garros QFs. In Melbourne, Djokovic won the Slam the very first time he went past the quarter-finals in 2012.
Rafael Nadal has been eliminated 7 times in the last eight stage at the Australian Open. However, he had an astounding 112-3 W/L record at the French Open. Bar 2015 and 2021, he has gone on to win the title every time he has made it to the quarter-finals. Both these losses have come against Djokovic, in the quarter and semifinals, respectively.
The last time these two players met ironically was in a quarterfinal that too of the French Open. Nadal beat Djokovic in a stunning 4-set match. The Spaniard went on to win a then record 22nd Grand Slam title. But Djokovic made the most of Nadal’s second-round exit in this year’s Australian Open and his absence from the French Open to go to win both the Grand Slams.
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With Rafael Nadal likely to return for a swansong in 2024 and Novak Djokovic still in top form, both players look set to boost their quarter-final numbers at the two Grand Slam tournaments.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic hardly got along
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are not very close to each other, maintaining a strictly professional relationship. Over their two-decade-long careers, they have a long list of disagreements and potshots. Even when featuring on the same team for Roger Federer’s farewell at the 2022 Laver Cup, there were barely any moments of camaraderie between the two.
Djokovic revealed that his equation with his rival soured around the turn of the last decade. The 24-time Majors winner used to mimic various opponents, including Nadal, before matches. He said the Spaniard was fine with this till he was dominating the Serb, but when Djokovic started beating Nadal more frequently, the latter no longer approved and the ‘energy shifted’.
Despite their multiple run-ins over the years, the duo have mutual respect for each other’s game and talent. Rafael Nadal recently called Novak Djokovic the ‘best in history’ (via The Guardian), saying his statistics are much better. The latter, too, has spoken highly of the former on many occasions. With a 2024 return on the cards for Nadal, tennis fans are hopeful for one final chapter of his illustrious rivalry with Djokovic.
