via Reuters
Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 16, 2021 Spain’s Rafael Nadal shakes hands with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic after winning the final REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
via Reuters
Tennis – ATP Masters 1000 – Italian Open – Foro Italico, Rome, Italy – May 16, 2021 Spain’s Rafael Nadal shakes hands with Serbia’s Novak Djokovic after winning the final REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will come face to face for the second time this season. But this time, the pair has a Grand Slam title at stake at the French Open 2021.
Clashing in the Roland-Garros semifinals, Rafa and Djokovic will mark their 58th career meeting. So far, the Serbian has a 29-28 lead over the Spaniard in their head-to-head history. Moreover, Djokovic is the only active player ever to have beaten Nadal on the Parisian clay. So what is it that gives the Serb an edge over Rafa?
Recently, the Spaniard’s ex-coach and uncle Toni Nadal spoke with the Tennis Channel and explained why the Belgradian has been “more difficult” for his nephew.
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Watch this story: Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic Rivalry at French Open
via Getty
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 10: Rafael Nadal of Spain (L) and Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a forehand react after watching a video replay while on the sidelines during the Tie Break Tens ahead of the 2018 Australian Open at Margaret Court Arena on January 10, 2018 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Toni Nadal on the Novak Djokovic threat to Rafael Nadal
Uncle Toni coached Rafael Nadal from 1990 to 2017, and hence, he understands his game better than anybody. Besides, the Spanish coach has repeatedly stated that Djokovic is his nephew’s biggest challenge
Toni claimed that they never knew what to do with Djokovic. His reach and flexibility around the court made it difficult for Nadal to bring his A-game.
“Against Djokovic, never we know exactly the way. Because what do we have to do? We have to move. And when we open the court, he can open a little better sometimes. For our game, [it] was more difficult. A little more difficult, Djokovic,” Toni explained.
"Against Djokovic, never we know exactly the way."
Toni Nadal joins @dhantuchova to talk about the challenges Rafa faces when going up against Djokovic.
The pair will face off for the 58th time tomorrow.Watch the full video: https://t.co/Kf9s2sAtxM#Credentialed #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/NvdcthIsfp
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) June 10, 2021
On the other side, the 18-time Grand Slam champion also agreed that Nadal is his biggest rival. Novak said, “The anticipation for the match against him [Nadal], any match or any surface or any occasion, is always different from any other.”
Read More: What Records Are Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal Chasing at French Open 2021?
What is at the stake for Nadal and Djokovic at the French Open 2021?
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Without a doubt, both want to settle for nothing less than the title. While Djokovic wants to break the most Grand Slams record, Nadal wants to keep winning.
via Getty
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA: Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Rafael Nadal of Spain cross paths during change of ends during the Men’s Singles Final match during day 14 of the 2019 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 27, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)
Therefore, in the French Open 2021 semifinal, the pair would leave everything out on the court. Ultimately, neither of the two would want to be on the losing side at the end of this match.
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The tennis community is anxious to see this battle take off. Who do you think will win this time, the Serbian ace or the Spaniard King?
Also Read: French Open 2021 Semifinals: Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic Live Stream, Where and When to Watch
