5 Greatest tennis rivalries of all time

Modified Nov 09, 2018 10:19 GMT

The Federer-Nadal rivalry has defined the game of tennis for more than a decade

#2 Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic:

Career head to head: Djokovic 27-25 Nadal (5-9 in Majors, 16-12 in Masters)

If one likes intensity, athleticism, and fierce stroke play on a tennis court, one should not look beyond the rivalry between Nadal and Djokovic. They happen to be the 2 finest movers the game of tennis has seen and therefore, it is usually very difficult for each one of them to get the ball past the other. Djokovic beat Nadal in 5 sets in the Australian Open final in 2012 and Nadal returned the favor in the US Open 2013 and those 2 matches remain among the very best their rivalry has offered so far.

Those 2 again met in the Wimbledon semifinal in 2018 and Djokovic managed to beat Nadal before winning his 4th title. Nadal, the greatest clay-court player of all time, has also managed to beat Djokovic 6 out of the 7 times they have met at the Roland Garros.

On the flip side, their relentless baseline battering can be tiresome for the casual tennis lover. However, for people who love to see intense, no-nonsense battles on tennis courts, the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry might well be the greatest. In terms of statistics also, the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry is the finest that the game has seen.

About the author

Subhadeep, an adept tennis journalist at Sportskeeda, has been writing about the sport for seven years. He is known for his exclusive match reviews and opinion pieces, utilizing his MBA degree to tackle them effectively with his problem-solving abilities.

Subhadeep lives and breathes tennis. He watches matches regularly and engages in social media platforms to stay on top of the latest happenings. As a writer, he brings the fan's perspective to his pieces, ensuring his readers enjoy an exceptional experience every time.

Growing up, he idolized Boris Becker, but he now firmly believes Novak Djokovic stands alone as the 'Greatest of all Time', especially considering the 24-time Grand Slam champion's incredible stats. One thing that still puzzles Subhadeep, however, is how Becker's Wimbledon tally might have reached five if not for Pete Sampras.

Speaking of the All England Club, the British Major holds a special place in his heart as he admires its blend of tradition and grass-court excellence. When not working for Sportskeeda, Subhadeep delves into the other "love of his life": football, and enjoys contributing his insights to different websites dedicated to the sport.

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Edited by Rajdeep Puri