by Agence-France-Presse. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the two men pitted in almost every theoretical “greatest ever” battle, might both end up with losing records to Novak Djokovic. Djokovic's latest Slam win came last month when he won the Australian Open for the record ninth time, while he is also currently the record holder for being number one for the most number of weeks. The most frequently occurring men’s singles tennis matchups in the Open era, along with each player’s win total in the rivalry. Yet there’s even more. Novak Djokovic versus Rafael Nadal has been the tennis matchup of this era. Former American great Chris Evert called out Novak Djokovic for saying his rivalry with Rafael Nadal was the greatest in the history of tennis after his humiliating defeat by Nadal in the French Open final on Sunday. Djokovic was asked about Nadal’s comments during a press conference and replied: “I cannot speak on his behalf, I do not know the way he thinks, but, it is his right to voice an opinion: how he sees me in regards to records, etc. The most prolific rivalry in men's tennis now stands at 29-27 to Djokovic. Suddenly, Federer and Nadal … Rafael Nadal on his ‘healthy ambition’ and how personal motivation and not Big Three rivalry shaped his career. World No.1 Novak Djokovic leads 29-26, the most tour-level match-ups in the Open Era, however, Rafael Nadal edges their major battles 9-6. The ‘Djokodal’ rivalry is widely considered to be one of the greatest rivalries in the history of the sport. Nadal, who won a 13th Roland Garros title and record-equalling 20th Grand Slam by beating Djokovic in the Paris final in October, is chasing a 12th triumph in Monte Carlo. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic top five moments in epic rivalry - Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will set-up a blockbuster French Open 2020 final and it is another chapter in their magnificent rivalry. World number one Djokovic won the first eight games against U.S. Open champion Cilic, whose first mark on the scoreboard was greeted by an ironic celebration from the Croat. But on Sunday, it truly is one for the ages with Nadal attempting to tie Roger Federer’s men’s record of 20 majors and Djokovic seeking his 18th Grand Slam trophy. Nadal renews Djokovic rivalry in quest for 10th Rome title. Downplaying the famous Nadal vs Djokovic rivalry, the Serb affirmed his faith in the Spaniard's ability to bounce back from little defeats, saying “I’m not too concerned, especially when it comes to Rafa on clay. Rafael Nadal is set to be in action after a six-month break chasing a tenth Italian Open title in Rome.. Rival Novak Djokovic will stand in Nadal's way as he will next bid for a 13th Roland Garros crown later this month.. Djokovic's Aus Open title meant he is now just two shy of both Nadal and Roger Federer. Since then their riveting and frequently ridiculous rivalry has amounted to 56 history-defining bouts. Djokovic versus Nadal is the greatest rivalry in men’s tennis. Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer's rivalry and relationship has seemed to omit the presence of fellow 'big three' rival Novak Djokovic. He also recently surpassed Federer's record for the most week's as the World No.1 ranked male. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) Novak Djokovic is the only player in history to have a superior head-to-head record against both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, considered the two modern greats of the game. Nadal, by now world number one, had won the title at SW19 in 2008 and 2010. His 2011 season took the tennis world by storm, finding ways to assert his dominance, thus breaking the Swiss and Spanish stronghold that has long rippled through the watered territories of the modern game. Novak Djokovic et Rafael Nadal sont deux joueurs de tennis professionnels rivaux.Ils se sont partagé la première place mondiale du classement ATP du 7 juin 2010 au 6 novembre 2016, avec seulement 17 semaines d'interruption, soit 318 semaines.Ils se sont rencontrés quatre fois de suite en finale des quatre différents tournois du Grand Chelem en 2011/2012. Top two men’s tennis players to face each other for a 54th career meeting at the championship match in Rome. I don’t think one or two matches or two weeks is going to change the way he plays on clay or for the upcoming tournaments". The youngest of the all conquering 'Big Three', Djokovic has never been within one major of Nadal or two of Federer. Nadal, 31, is a year younger than Djokovic, 32, and the pair grew up playing junior tournaments with one another. Nadal has never lost a French Open final but Djokovic certainly presented danger. Sunday will be a record 56th meeting between Nadal and Djokovic. Nearly half their fifty-six matches have been tournament finals, nine of those Grand Slam finals. Djokovic has long been in the shadow of the Federer and Nadal rivalry, completing the year at #3 for three times in the row. To put into perspective how significant the Djokovic-Nadal rivalry is, here are five records they have been broken over the years. These three boys have given tennis a new dimension,” Thiem added. By Steve Keating MIAMI (Reuters) - While Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal may be the most trendy rivalry in men's tennis, the most enduring may be top ranked Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who clashed for the 40th time on Sunday in the final of the Sony Open. Although Djoker leads the head-to-head battle, Rafa clearly dominates over Djokovic … Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer have been battling it out for tennis history for a decade and a half now, with them carving up almost all of the sport’s major records between them. While Federer and Nadal are currently locked on 20 Slams each, Djokovic has won 18 to date and is one of the firm favourites to match or even surpass the two legends. Djokovic is a two-time champion in Monte Carlo but has not got beyond the quarter-finals since his most recent title in 2015. A few weeks later, Djokovic reached the French Open final in Paris, where he was comprehensively beaten 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 by clay-court master Nadal. “The rivalry between Federer, Nadal and Djokovic is legendary and not only in our sport, it is a rivalry that transcends. rivalry for the ages In total, Fedal have played nine Grand Slam finals with Nadal , 33, winning five - although Federer did win their most-recent major final meeting in Australia in 2017. Djokovic is currently chasing down the 20 Grand Slam titles held by both Federer and Nadal, and he is ow just two behind after winning the Australian Open. Djokovic and Nadal have now played each other 56 times following the Spaniard's 6-0 6-2 7-5 victory on court Philippe Chatrier. Published September 13, 2020, 1:48 PM. A near flawless Novak Djokovic crushed Marin Cilic 6-0 6-3 to set up a blockbuster Monte Carlo Masters semi-final with claycourt king Rafa Nadal, who came through a testing workout by David Ferrer on Friday. Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic is the most prolific and enduring rivalry of the tennis Open Era. Djokovic, Nadal renew rivalry at Italian Open final. Djokovic, Federer and Nadal have arguably formed the greatest rivalry in the history of tennis. As with any rivalries, there have been moments of tension between them during matches, but Djokovic says not only have they been good for each other, but good for tennis as a whole. Nadal’s rivalry with Djokovic, the current world No. Home; Tennis News; Novak Djokovic; It is no mystery that Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have improved each other. 1, is much better. 13 Sep 2020: Italian Open: Nadal renews Djokovic rivalry, Serena and Osaka absent . Roland-Garros 2006 was the arena for the first instalment of Nadal v Djokovic. But Djokovic dominated the opening two sets and although the top seed … Many believe that the Big Three have pushed each other to greater heights, but while Nadal admits that his two big foes have had an impact on his career, he believes his own ambition is the driving force behind his success. The Rafael Nadal-Novak Djokovic rivalry is one of the most intriguing rivalries in the history of tennis. The duo holds the record for the most tour-level match-up’s on the ATP Tour in the Open Era and are one of two groups of players to have played each other 50 or more times. Any final featuring the world's two top ranked players automatically qualifies as significant but Nadal and Djokovic have elevated their … And, speaking to the Make it to Fake it podcast, Djokovic thanked his rivals for ‘absolutely 100 per cent’ making him a better player. The battles between the two goliaths have taken tennis to a whole new level. According to Nadal's uncle and former coach Toni, the … Nadal’s rivalry with Federer and Djokovic and the debate about who will end up as the greatest player of all time has transcended tennis.