Then a brash, new face on the tennis scene with an inclination to retire in matches, Novak Djokovic first played Rafael Nadal in the French Open 2006.
Djokovic lost the first two sets in the quarterfinals 6-4, 6-4, and then adjourned with a back injury.
Later, he was not very impressed with the game on clay Nadal, despite it being the defending champion at Roland Garros and carrying a 53-match winning streak on the surface in the second Grand Slam of the year.
Serbian Nadal uses phrases like “I did not feel too comfortable,” “I do not need anything special play” to beat the Spanish and “he is not invincible” on clay – not exactly endear him to tennis fans.
Almost a decade later, Djokovic has matured and – if a global superstar – made in the public domain.
He is well spoken in five languages, he makes every effort to ensure that your body is in optimal conditions, and pensions are a thing of the past. Only the toughest critics suggest the number 1 in the world is not a good ambassador for the sport.
Once considered nearly impossible, he broke the duopoly Nadal-Roger Federer.
However, one thing that Djokovic has yet to achieve in your career – and that is the defeat of Nadal in the French Open.
For many, his best chance comes Wednesday with a victory that could pave the way for a title that would allow Djokovic to complete the career Grand Slam, Federer and Nadal emulating.
With Nadal have 14 Grand Slam titles, nine of them in Paris, Djokovic has eight races, is one of the most high-profile duels quarterfinals in Grand Slam history, reflecting fight Pete Sampras Andre Agassi in 2001 US Open. One lived up to the hype, Sampras triumphing in four sets – all playoffs.
A loss of form Nadal, along with the French Open organizers did not run into the sixth seed, it gave rise to the possibility that the two titans clash in the quarterfinals, and 25% chance materialized the draw.
“I’m supporting Rafa in protest against the stupidity of the tournament for not having seed No. 2,” Brad Gilbert, the former coach of Agassi and Andy Murray, told CNN this week while wearing a black jacket adorned with the logo of the bull Nadal.
The last time Nadal and Djokovic played before the semifinals on a round-robin event was not in Rome in 2007, when the first had not captured any Grand Slam outside Paris and Serbian had no majors at all. “Umbrella” by Rihanna soon discarded cards and Twitter was mostly for birds.
Their rivalry has reached historic proportions – no two men in the Open Era have clashed with regularity.
Nadal leads 23-20 overall – and is primarily with regard to Wednesday, 6-0 at the French Open.
He improved to 70-1 at the French Open after winning the fourth round on Monday on American teenager Jack Sock, with his only blemish coming in 2009 against Robin Soderling.
