At Roland-Garros,
For the blockbuster
The Spaniard and the Serbian meet again this Sunday in the Roland-Garros final for the 56th episode of their rivalry (Djokovic leads 29-26).
Djokovic-Nadal, it is certainly not a blockbuster like a Nadal-Federer, but it remains a classic must-have on the circuit between two of the three best players of all time.
One thing is certain: this final will be important in the race for the best player of all time (GOAT) between Djokovic, Nadal and Federer.
The Serbian and the Spaniard face each other for the third time in the final in Paris and for the ninth time in a Grand Slam final (4-4 in their confrontation).
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For indecision
Since 2015, the king of Roland-Garros can no longer do it against the Serbian.
He has lost 15 of their last 18 encounters.
The Serb clearly has the upper hand, but on his beloved clay, Nadal is resisting (he has won three of their last four duels).
At Roland Garros, he leads 6-1 against his rival and won their two duels in the final (2012-2014).
But Djokovic was awarded in three sets their last confrontation Porte d'Auteuil in 2015. "It is from this match that I will be inspired tactically", breathes Nole.
If Nadal has not lost a set since the start of the tournament, the autumn conditions of the tournament reduce the effectiveness of his lift and it could cost him dearly against the Serbian machine.
In short, everything seems to be in place for this eighth meeting at Roland Garros to be the most undecided.
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For Nadal the king of the earth
Nadal and Roland-Garros, a love story that has lasted for fifteen years.
The Spaniard will become, if he dominates the world number one, the only player in history to have won 13 times in the same tournament, Martina Navratilova having won 12 times that of Chicago.
The ogre of the earth would sign in passing a 100th victory at the French Open for two defeats and a forfeit in 16 participations!
Dizzying and historic.
Because if the world number two wins this Sunday he will equal in passing the record for major titles held by Roger Federer (20).
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For the ambitious Djokovic
Djokovic is 36 victories this season, including an 8th Australian Open as well as two Masters 1000 (Cincinnati and Rome).
His only failure?
His disqualification in the round of 16 of the US Open on a gesture of humor.
He is not shy about it.
The Serb, always in search of invincibility, is on a mission to beat Federer and his 20 Grand Slam titles.
If he wins on Sunday, the insatiable will glue one length behind Nadal in the Major League race with 18 titles against 19. He will also be the only player to have beaten the Mallorcan in the Roland-Garros final on his favorite court.
And the world number one will become the first player of the Open era (since 1968) to win twice in each of the Grand Slam tournaments.
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For a final highlight
Despite the very autumnal weather conditions and the somewhat depressing context due to the size reduced to 1000 spectators, this 2020 edition is proving to be a very good vintage in the men's table.
The Gaston-Thiem will be remembered.
The Schwartzman-Thiem of the quarterfinals even more.
And what about the magnificent showdown in five sets between Djokovic and Tsitsipas in the semifinals.
The final confrontation this Sunday between the master of the place and the best player in the world could reach new heights and strengthen the statistics.
The last four Grand Slam finals were played in the 5th set.
A record in the Open era.
Read also
Roland-Garros 2020: Calendar / Results