Few players have been able to upend Rafael Nadal on clay, as he’s arguably the best player ever to step on a clay court. But world No. 1 Novak Djokovic has been able to pull off that feat three of the last six times they have played on the surface, including at the start of the 2013 clay court season in Monte Carlo.
However, Djokovic has never been able to face down the Spaniard at Roland Garros, where Nadal has reigned supreme on seven occasions, including in 2012, when he punched out the Serbian in a rain-delayed four set final.
Djokovic is relishing another chance and says that that stopping Nadal from winning his ninth crown in Monte Carlo gave him confidence.
“That is something that can maybe give me that mental edge when I step onto the court, knowing I already won against him on clay this season, knowing I can do it, even though not many players in last 10 years have won against him on this surface and he’s been the most dominant player in the history of this sport on this surface.” Djokovic said.” It’s incredible what he does on this surface. But it’s the best of five, so it takes much more than just doing the same thing like in Monte‑Carlo. It’s a Grand Slam also, so there more tension, more things, that are important for both of us. The finals are at stake. But if everything goes well and if I start well in the match, I think that can give me that confidence boost that I need. Because I need to start well. That’s something that I know.”
Djokovic and Nadal get along well, although they are not friends. Intense rivals rarely are even if the current top five get along very well. Even though he is trying to knock the crown off his head, Djokovic admires the Spaniard’s competitiveness and love for sport
“He’s showing it and he likes to compete,” he said. “He never gives up. I mean, that’s an impressive virtue that he has. Over the years, he’s been so consistent and so dominant, on this surface especially. He’s struggled with injuries, came back, and lost only few matches since he came back. You’ve got to respect that.”
Djokovic has said all year long that winning Roland Garros is his biggest goal, as it’s the only major he hasn’t been able to win. He is dedicating the tournament to his former junior coach Jelena Gencic, who passed away last week. He believes that he is ready for the challenge as he employs a unique combination of offense and defense.
“This is it,” he said. “This is the biggest matchup of our Roland Garros 2013 campaign for both me and him. It’s the small details and few points can decide a winner, and that’s why I need to be very disciplined and focused in order to get emotionally, physically, and mentally ready for that match.”
Nadal and Djokovic are both notoriously slow players when it comes to walking up to the baseline to serve or preparing to return. That is one of the reasons why almost all of their previous 34 matches (Nadal owns 19-15 edge in the rivalry) has gone long, all though none as lengthy as their 2011 Australian Open final, which went five hours and 53 minutes and was won by Djokovic. Another Grand Slam tussle of that length is not out of the question, especially on red clay.
“I’m ready for five sets, but that doesn’t mean there is going to be five sets,” Djokovic said. “Nobody can predict what’s going to happen, especially in our matches. If it’s going to be shorter or longer than that match, I don’t know. But I don’t think there are big chances that it’s going to go longer than that, six hours.”
Djokovic then asked a reporter with a laugh: “Do you want to see more than six‑hours’ match? I’m sure I don’t want to be six hours on the court.”
©Daily Tennis News Wire
Topics: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros, Serbian tennis news, Spanish tennis news, Sports, Tennis News
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