Novak Djokovic helped Serbia down Spain in the Davis Cup 2023 group stages, advancing to the Final 8 at their expense. The host nation sorely missed Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal as they won only one tie. The latter is Spain’s most successful Davis Cup player. He has an incredible W/L record (37-5 overall) and the best winning ratio in the country’s history.
Nadal and Djokovic have faced off only once in the Davis Cup, back in 2009, when they barely had a rivalry. After that contest in Spain, the duo never faced each other while representing their respective nations. As Nadal returns to the tour in 2024, such a clash with Djokovic at the 2024 Paris Olympics could be on the cards.
Nadal vs. Djokovic Davis Cup 2009: How the match panned out
Serbia and Spain squared off in a World Group first round fixture in 2009. The latter, also the defending champions, led 2-1 after three matches. Djokovic had been defeated by David Ferrer in the first match, after which Nadal downed Janko Tipsarevic to give Spain a 2-0 lead. Serbia then pulled one back in the doubles.
The unenviable task of saving the tie for the eastern European nation fell to Djokovic. To keep Serbia alive, he needed to beat Nadal on clay in front of his home crowd. Djokovic, however, failed to do so and Spain won the Davis Cup fixture in Benidorm, Spain.
Djokovic had only one Grand Slam title to his name while Nadal had six. The former had never been ranked No.1 at that point. The local lad was the favourite coming into the match and played as such. Djokovic started well, matching Nadal as the first set stood in balance at 4-4.
But the latter pulled clear to win 6-4 and the second set virtually followed the same script. Nadal blitzed Djokovic in the third set to win the rubber 6-4, 6-4, 6-1. After eliminating Serbia, Spain went all the way to win their fourth Davis Cup championship.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have faced off thrice playing for their countries. Nadal has a 2-1 lead, winning their match-ups at the 2008 Olympics and the 2009 Davis Cup. Djokovic won their last such clash at the 2020 ATP Cup.
Rafael Nadal admits Novak Djokovic is the GOAT
Novak Djokovic was a late bloomer, starting his era of domination only around 2011. Before that, the Serb was considerably behind Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. However, since the turn of the previous decade, he has turned the tennis world upside down. He raced ahead of his Big 3 counterparts to go atop the all-time Grand Slam titles list. Nadal recently called the 24-time Majors winner the GOAT of tennis.
In an interview with AS (via ESPN), Rafael Nadal said Novak Djokovic has indisputably better numbers than him, saying he is the best ‘in history’. The Serb has more Grand Slams (24 vs. 22) and ATP Masters titles (38 vs. 36) than the Spaniard. While Djokovic may be clear in terms of individual titles, Nadal has a much better record when playing for their nations.
Nadal has five Davis Cup trophies, while the World No.1 has only one (2010). The Spanish champion also has two Olympic Golds, one each in singles and doubles, to his rival’s single bronze. With Spain not qualifying for the Davis Cup final 8, Serbia will fancy themselves to lift the trophy for the second time. Djokovic will look to add one more team title to his already glittering resume.
