Australian Open 2019: 18th for Nadal or 15th for Djokovic?

As Rafael Nadal looks forward to taking on his long-time rival Novak Djokovic in the 2019 Australian Open summit clash in the quest for his second Australian Open title, a lot of similarities seem to appear on the surface of the horizon, not only with his title clash against G.O.A.T Roger Federer a couple of years ago but also with the monumental championship battle that he fought against the Serb seven years back.

Back in 2017, when Federer and Nadal met at the Rod Laver Arena, the Swiss maestro had 17 while the Spaniard had 14 majors against their names respectively. 2 years later, when Rafa steps out to fight in for a battle of nerves against the hard-courts master from Serbia, the former is equipped with 17 titles while the latter has 14 Grand Slam titles to his name.

If we rewind our memory lanes and visit 2012, we come across a familiar story. Just like the present scenario, Djokovic was chasing his third successive title at the majors following his triumph at the Wimbledon and the US Open in the year before.

So what exactly makes this Nadal-Djokovic rivalry so absorbing to watch? If Nadal-Federer rivalry is an epitome of contrasts, the Rafa-Djoker feud relishes on the acuteness of similarities among these two contemporary great champions.

With both players being predominantly base-liners, heavy-hitters of the ball and swift movers across the courts, the mesmerizing and intense rallies that they have been part of for more than a decade have become a part of legendary tales which grandfathers can narrate to their tennis enthusiastic grandchildren in years to come.

Nadal & Djokovic embrace after their titanic battle at AO 2012.

Their ability to endlessly keep fighting even for an inch of an advantage on tennis courts and their redefined standards of human limitations have made all tennis fans ponder whether they really are human. In battle against each other on the court, they have tried to match each other in every aspect, every stroke and every game they play as they have always strived to remain one step ahead of their opponent.

Every pressure situation in any sport, in general, is associated with psychological aspects surrounding the contest and this year’s epic showdown at the Melbourne Park is no different. The Australian Open has been the least successful major if not the least favorite major for Rafael Nadal.

After he won his first and only Australian Open title following a rebellious performance against Federer in the final of 2009, it has always been the story of 'so near yet so far' for the Spaniard at the Rod Laver Arena as he went through the agonizingly close, heart-breaking losses at 2012 and 2017 and a nightmarish injury experience in the 2014 Aussie Open final.

Rafa would be keen and hungry to get the monkey off his back and lay firm hands on that elusive second Australian Open title and in the process become the third overall and only the first person in the Open era in men’s tennis to win each Grand Slam at least twice.

Novak Djokovic, on the other hand, stands on the cusp of winning his 7th Australian Open title and will thereby hold an unprecedented number of Aussie open titles going past Federer’s tally of 6 if he manages to get the better of Nadal in the final.

In the past when Nadal and Djokovic stood against each other in the peak of their prowess, their contest gave us glimpses of a bullfight, as they traded body-blows, choke holding their opponents, making them suffer by showcasing physical power and agility. However at the age of 32 and 31 for Nadal and Djokovic respectively, they may not be able to match their heroics of the past.

What they will match is their undying love for the game and unadulterated hunger to win. They are very well aware of the fact that they have to put everything on the line if they wish to make the illustrious crown their own in what promises to be the marquee event of the season so far.