5 unique features of the legendary Nadal vs Djokovic rivalry

Modified Jan 13, 2020 11:16 GMT

#4 Nadal has lost his last 8 hardcourt meetings with Djokovic

Nadal (right) hoists aloft the 2013 US Open title

Though widely renowned for his claycourt prowess, Nadal is no slouch on surfaces outside the red dirt.

Nadal's 468-132 win-loss record on hardcourt (78%) is the 11th best by any player who has played over 100 matches on the surface. Of the 56 players who have beaten Nadal on hardcourt, no player has bested the Spaniard on the surface as many times as Djokovic (20) has.

Djokovic became the only player to beat Nadal in straight sets in a Grand Slam final when he did so at the 2019 Australian Open. The Serb hasn't lost a hardcourt match against the Spaniard since the 2013 US Open final, and the streak extended to eight following his straight-sets win over the Spaniard in the ATP Cup final.

In the process, Djokovic extended his set-win streak on outdoor hard court over Nadal to 19-0.

You may also like: Re-living Djokovic's 7 title triumphs at the Australian Open

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Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

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Edited by Musab Abid