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Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic’s Picture From 2008 Monte Carlo Masters Goes Viral, Fans Put Wars Aside to Get Nostalgic

Tanmay Roy
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Novak Djokovic Has Epic Reaction To Being Shown Video of 2013 Monte Carlo Masters Final Against Rafael Nadal: WATCH

Ever since Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from the Monte Carlo Masters 2024, it has been a dampening affair for fans. What’s more, was that fans also missed out on the opportunity of witnessing one of the greatest rivalries i.e. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic on the clay court. While the 60th match between the two legends still remains elusive, Eurosport and ATP Tour’s Instagram page shared a throwback picture of the two to make fans nostalgic.

Eurosport shared a picture of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on Instagram, which increased the fans’ wishes to see them play one more time. The picture was a throwback from the 2008 Monte Carlo Masters, which Nadal won 7-5, 7-5 against Roger Federer in the final. Federer had beaten Djokovic 6-3, 3-2, before getting a walkover in the semi-final.

In the picture, Nadal and Djokovic are both clad in black suits, black pants, and a black bow tie, with their arms crossed and looking into the camera. It was a young Nadal and Djokovic, with the Spaniard’s long, lustrous hair flowing down his shoulder, and Djokovic sporting a thick buzz cut.

“Throwback to Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in Monte-Carlo in 2008,” read the post by Eurosport.

 

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A post shared by Eurosport (@eurosport)

Both Nadal and Djokovic fans started commenting on it. Some were keen on igniting the rivalry or the social media feud once again, others were simply missing the two of them in action against each other. Here are a few comments that sum up their emotions:

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have butted heads in Monte-Carlo over the years

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have played against each other at the Monte Carlo Masters, precisely 4 times in their career. They met for the first time in this tournament in 2009, in the final match. Nadal was just too strong for Djokovic, but the latter had the audacity and skills to take the 2nd set from Nadal.

Djokovic lost 3-6, 6-2, 1-6. 3 years later they met again, and this time too in the finals. Djokovic still wasn’t good enough for Nadal on clay in this tournament, as the Spaniard won 6-3, 6-1 without much trouble. This marked Rafael Nadal’s 8th Monte-Carlo Masters title.

The very next year in 2013, when Djokovic played Nadal in the final of the Roqueburne-based ATP Masters event again, he finally won. Novak Djokovic finally found a way to beat Rafael Nadal, and he did it in straight sets. The score was 6-2, 7-6 (7-1). The final they met was in 2015, this time in the semi-finals.

Djokovic won the match 6-3, 6-3 and advanced to the finals. In the final, Djokovic beat Tomas Berdych 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 and won his 2nd title.

With no Rafael Nadal as a threat this time around, can Djokovic win his 3rd Monte Carlo Masters title this year?

Post Edited By:Dhruv Rupani

About the author

Tanmay Roy

Tanmay Roy

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Tanmay Roy is a Tennis Journalist at The SportsRush, whose lifelong passion and zeal for the sport landed him this position. A writer with over 1000 articles under him, Tanmay fell in love with tennis in 2005 when Roger Federer defeated Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon final after a stunning three sets. Tanmay followed the likes of the Big Three - Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal from the mid-noughties to now. His interest was stronger than ever after the wonderful 2009 Wimbledon Final which saw Roger Federer win after a see-saw 5-set match. His favorite female tennis player is Serena Williams and Monica Seles. Tanmay's favorite match-up to date is Roger Federer vs Andy Roddick in the 2000s. If possible, the John Isner vs Nicolas Mahut first round match at the 2010 Wimbledon is the only match Tanmay would love to watch Live by going back in time. Of late, he is a huge fan of Jannik Sinner and believes the youngster has the potential to break every record.

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