The Relentless Rafael Nadal - The Spaniard's top 5-set matches

Rafael Nadal, arguably the most tenacious player on the ATP tour, has given us some unbelievable tennis action over the years. The ‘King of Clay is admired for his endurance, perseverance and determination on and off the court. Rafa ended the year 2013 as World No.1 despite the fact that he was recovering from a career-threatening knee injury. An athlete having suffered tendinitis in both his knees would barely think about playing again, but this industrious servant of the game has done it with his own verve. Here are my top 5 five-setters featuring Nadal that were an absolute treat to watch.

5. Australian Open final 2012 vs Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic (R) and Rafael Nadal both exhausted after their marathon Australian Open final in 2012

Yes, Rafa lost this one to Nole, but for tennis lovers it was an absolute treat to watch. Nadal called it the toughest loss of his career, but the best match he ever played. Djokovic said it was the finest win of his career and also commented on the high level of tennis played. This match holds the record for being the longest ever Grand Slam final ever. The 5 hour 53 minute marathon battle tested the ultimate endurance limits of both players. Both fought to the very last, but unfortunately there could only be one winner. Djokovic defeated Nadal 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7 (5–7), 7–5 to win the match by a whisker. The only reason I put this on number 5 is because Nadal ended up on the losing side.

4. Australian Open semi-final 2009 vs Fernando Verdasco

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating compatriot Fernando Verdasco after their men’s singles tennis match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 31, 2009. Nadal beat Verdasco 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (1/7), 6-4 over a record five hours and 14 minutes

The reigning Wimbledon champion was up against a fellow Spaniard, a fellow left-hander, Fernando Verdasco. Not many tennis experts expected Verdasco to trouble Nadal, but the two Spaniards combined to produce 5 hours and 14 minutes of absolutely scintillating and jaw-dropping tennis refusing to wilt under the Melbourne heat. Verdasco, the heavy underdog, had never defeated Nadal in their previous 6 meetings and left no stone unturned to breach his opponent’s defensive calibre. The match was so evenly fought that both players had 192 points each before the final point which Rafa won. Rafa eventually prevailed over his fellow Spaniard with a score line of 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (1), 6-4.

3. Australian Open final 2009 vs Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal of Spain holds his trophy after the men’s tennis final on day 14 of the Australian Open in Melbourne on early February 2, 2009. Rafael Nadal won a classic Australian Open final against Roger Federer 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 3-6, 6-2

Finally we come to the Nadal-Federer rivalry that has dominated headlines in world tennis for many years now. Nadal and Federer’s first encounter of 2009 resulted in a five-set epic—lasting 4 hours and 23 minutes—with Nadal prevailing, 7–5, 3–6, 7–6 (3), 3–6, 6–2 for his sixth Grand Slam title and his first on hard courts. This match was significant for Nadal as it extended his winning circumference from clay and grass to hard-courts as well. Federer, who was pursuing a record-tying 14th Grand Slam title, was unable to hold back tears during the trophy presentation.

2. French Open semi-final 2013 vs Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates match point in the men’s singles semi-final match against Novak Djokovic of Serbia on day thirteen of the French Open at Roland Garros on June 7, 2013 in Paris, France.

This was perhaps the most important victory for Nadal in 2013 which kick started a dream comeback after almost a year of absence from international tennis. People had questioned Nadal’s ability to compete with the best on tour again after returning from a career-threatening injury. Nadal answered all his critics, displaying his best clay court tennis, reminding even the invincible Djokovic that he was still the king of clay. 7-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal earned a memorable 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 6-7 (3), 9-7 win against top seed Djokovic. The match was later voted as the best tennis match of the year 2013.

1. Wimbledon final 2008 vs Roger Federer

Roger Federer of Switzerland congratulates Rafael Nadal of Spain in winning the Championship trophy during the men’s singles Final on day thirteen of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2008 in London, England.

Perhaps the most obvious choice for no.1 has to be this epic Wimbledon final which is regarded as perhaps the best tennis match ever played. This victory was perhaps the most important Grand Slam victory in Nadal’s career where he dethroned the ‘King of Grass’ Roger Federer on his favourite turf. Grass, being Federer’s forte, was finally breached that day after a 4 hour 48 minute duel in a rain-interrupted match. By winning the match, Nadal achieved the rare French open -Wimbledon double. It was also his first non-French Open Slam victory, and helped dispel Nadal’s reputation as only a clay court specialist proving that he could play at the highest level even on a medium-paced grass court. This victory heralded the rise of a new tennis legend.