Will the Madrid Masters be the first tournament in 2022 where Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have a shot at facing each other?

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are yet to face each other in 2022, but that could change by the time the Madrid Masters comes to an end. The ATP 1000 event, which runs from May 1 to 8, could be the first tournament of the year featuring the two legendary champions.

While the 21-time Grand Slam champion played in Australia at the start of the year, the World No. 1 had to miss out due to vaccine mandates in the country at the time. When Djokovic played at the Dubai Tennis Championships in February, the Spaniard opted to play at the Mexican Open the same week.

The Serb was prevented from playing in Indian Wells and Miami due to entry restrictions in the United States. The 20-time Grand Slam champion returned to action at the Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this month, but Nadal, unfortunately, was missing. Having sustained a stress fracture in his rib, Nadal hasn't been seen in action since the final at Indian Wells, where he lost to Taylor Fritz.

Even if he had been fit this past week, the pair would not have met. The 21-time Grand Slam champion was scheduled to play at the Barcelona Open instead of the Serbia Open, where Djokovic participated.

Coming back to Madrid, Novak Djokovic will be the top seed, whereas Nadal will be the third seed with Daniil Medvedev missing out due to injury. Last year, the first and third seeds were placed in the same half of the draw and were in line to square off against one another in the semifinals.

In 2018 and 2019, however, they were in opposite halves. In 2015 and 2016 the first and third seeds were in the same half, like in 2021.

It should be noted that Rafael Nadal hasn't officially confirmed his participation in the Madrid Masters. But all the signs from last week indicate that he will feature in the Spanish capital.

The 2021 Roland Garros was the last event Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal played together

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic last met at the 2021 Roland Garros

The last event that featured both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the draw was 2021 Roland Garros, where the two ended up meeting in the semifinals. The latter won in four sets and went on to defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final to win his 19th Grand Slam title.

Before their meeting in Paris, the duo faced off in Rome, where the 21-time Grand Slam champion defeated the World No. 1 in the final in three sets. The Serb currently leads the head-to-head 30-28.