Novak Djokovic has revealed that playing Rafael Nadal at the French Open “made me a better player” as he reflected on facing his greatest rival in Paris.
Reigning French Open champion Djokovic faced ‘King of Clay’ Nadal 10 times at Roland Garros, with an 11th meeting looking unlikely, – as doubts circle about whether the Spaniard has played at the tournament for the last time.
The world No 1 and three-time Roland Garros winner is the only player to beat 14-time champion Nadal twice at the tournament, with victories over the Spaniard in the 2015 quarter-final and 2021 semi-final.
Djokovic is the only man in history to win all four Grand Slam events on at least three occasions, though the French Open has been the toughest Slam for him – largely because of Nadal.
The Spaniard beat the 24-time Grand Slam champion in eight of their 10 matches at the tournament, including in three finals: in 2012, 2014, and 2020.
And, speaking in press after his round two victory on Thursday, Djokovic conceded Nadal had made Roland Garros the “highest mountain” for him.
He said: “Winning Roland Garros is the highest mountain to climb for me because I always had to win against him to get the title.
“l’ve said it many times – he has been the greatest rival that I ever had.
“Matches against him on clay have frustrated me so much in my career, but they also made me a better player, made me understand what it takes, you know, really, to try to surpass him, try to win at least once or twice on Roland Garros.
“I said it on the court the other day. It’s the highest mountain to climb, really, always for me to win Roland Garros, particularly because of Nadal, because I always have to win against him in order to get to the title.
“So, yeah, we had some really fantastic matches here.”
One of the most memorable wins of Djokovic’s career was his 2021 victory over Nadal, where he prevailed in an enthralling four-set contest to reach the final.
But Nadal won their last match at the tournament, beating the world No 1 in the last eight in 2022 – on his way to a 14th, and likely last, triumph at the event.
Djokovic and Nadal have played 59 times in total, with the Serbian leading the head-to-head 30-29, though the Spaniard has a 20-8 advantage on clay.