When Novak Djokovic's son Stefan pestered his father to have him photographed alongside Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were both seen at the 2022 Laver Cup last weekend, as the legendary duo joined forces to represent Team Europe. But as Djokovic recalled during an interview earlier this year, there have been instances in the past too when they have had reason to get together.

Djokovic and Nadal, who share an epic rivalry, have played against each other just once this season, with the Spaniard reigning supreme in the quarterfinals of the French Open. Djokovic revealed during the course of a BBC interview recorded in February that his son Stefan, who is a big fan of Nadal, wanted to know when the two would play each other so that he could be photographed alongside the Mallorcan.

"I hope that [if I were playing against Nadal, my son would be cheering for me]. But he asked me a few days ago, 'When is the next tournament where you're going to participate, where will Rafa also play?' I said, 'I am not sure. I hope it is very soon. Why are you asking me that?' He said, 'Because I would really like to take a photo with Rafa!' 'We can arrange that, I'm sure'," Djokovic disclosed in the interview which was recorded after the 2022 Australian Open.

Stefan won over several fans after he was seen practicing alongside his father during the Wimbledon Championships, which Novak Djokovic went on to win.

Novak Djokovic leads Rafael Nadal 30-29 as part of an epic 16-year rivalry that shows no signs of ebbing

Rafael Nadal emerges triumphant at the 2022 French Open

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal faced off for the first time ever in the quarterfinals of the 2006 French Open, where the Serb had to retire in the third set. Since their first encounter at Roland Garros sixteen years ago, the pair have met 59 times, with Djokovic leading the head-to-head 30-29.

While Nadal has dominated on clay, Djokovic has ruled on grass and hardcourt. But the two have managed to breach each other's fortresses on a few rare occasions.

In the 2011 Madrid Masters final, Novak Djokovic pulled off a sensational win against the King of Clay, beating him 7-5, 6-4.

The Spaniard beat Djokovic on grass in the 2007 Wimbledon semifinals and in the Queen's Club final a year later.

Amid an interesting French Open draw in 2021 that saw Roger Federer, Djokovic and Nadal in the same half, the Serb created a stir by getting the better of Nadal in the semifinals en route to a historic French Open title.

Battling pain and injury, the Spaniard tilted the scales at Roland Garros earlier this year by defeating his arch rival in the quarterfinals en route to a record-extending 14th French Open crown.

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