Roland-Garros: the Nadal/Djokovic rivalry decrypted on Prime Video

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have faced each other ten times at Roland Garros. Ten duels, most of which have left their mark on the history of world tennis by their intensity and suspense. Prime Video retraces the highlights that marked their Porte d'Auteuil rivalry in the documentary Nadal/Djokovic: duel at Roland-Garros, available from this Friday, May 26 on the platform.

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A rivalry dating back to 2006

The film begins with the very first confrontation of their careers in 2006. If the two players now co-hold together the record of Grand Slam singles titles with 22 trophies each, at the time, Nadal was one step ahead of his rival since he was the defending champion Porte d'Auteuil. The Serb reached the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam for the first time. Thanks to archive images, we discover the players just before their entry on the court: Rafael Nadal, already very concentrated, and Novak Djokovic, more dissipated. To remove the pressure, the Serb had noted on the back of his shoes the phrase "Vamos Nole" (Go Nole, his nickname) thus teasing his opponent whose inscription "Vamos Rafa" was then inscribed on his sneakers. This first meeting, lost by forfeit by Djokovic, will pave the way for many others, some of the most spectacular of which will take place on the Parisian clay. "This grand slam is by far the most beautiful arena when it comes to their rivalry," said Serbian player Janko Tipsarevic.

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A dive into the intimacy of the players

Carried by magnificent shots, the documentary retraces these emblematic duels like a film, allowing us to plunge back into the atmosphere and suspense of the moment. At the same time, it highlights childhood, the journey made of ups and downs and the personality of these two great champions thanks to archive images, personal films and especially the testimonies of many speakers such as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (who became a consultant this year on Prime Video), Guy Forget, Richard Gasquet, Gustavo Kuerten, David Ferrer or Stan Wawrinka.

See alsoStan Wawrinka: "Roland-Garros will always remain at the top"

The last confrontation between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic was last year. The two men met in the quarter-finals and the Spanish player won in four sets after a superb match. A meeting proposed on Prime Video, co-broadcaster of the tournament with France televisions. This year again, the platform will broadcast all the evening sessions and matches of the Simonne-Mathieu court.

A few days ago, Rafael Nadal withdrew from the 2023 edition of Roland-Garros. The two players will not face each other for the eleventh time at Porte d'Auteuil. But who knows? Next year maybe...