Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal head-to-head record

Novak Djokovic played Rafael Nadal for the second time at the Olympics in Paris.

It has been eighteen years since Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal first faced each other in 2006. The occasion was the Roland Garros quarterfinal. While the match ended in an anti-climax, with Djokovic retiring in the third set, it set the stage for a rivalry lasting close to two decades. 

Over the years, the two champions have gone toe-to-tow many times, with each stamping their authority at different events. Nadal’s 14 French Open titles earned him another one –  that of the ‘King of Clay.’ Djokovic took over the hard courts of Melbourne, winning ten titles over the years.

The second-round clash at the Paris Olympics 2024 did not live up to expectations but there were moments of inspiration. Djokovic came out winning against the injury ridden Nadal with a score of 6-1, 6-4. Djokovic now leads Nadal by the slimmest of margins at 31-29. 

The Beijing 2008 Olympics semifinal was the last time Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic played at the summer games. It was also the year Nadal won the singles gold for Spain. Nadal had humbled Djokovic before going to win the gold with a win over Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez in the final. Djokovic had to settle for bronze after getting the better of American James Blake of the USA to finish third on the podium.

Also Read: Rafael Nadal’s Career in Numbers: Records, Stats and Titles

Also Read: Novak Djokovic’s career in numbers: Records, stats and titles

Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal last five meeting results

July 29th, 2024: Novak Djokovic defeats Rafael Nadal 6-1, 6-4.

May 31st, 2022: Rafael Nadal defeats Novak Djokovic, 6-2, 4-6 6-2, 7-6(4)

June 11th, 2021: Novak Djokovic defeats Rafael Nadal, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-2 – French Open Semifinal.

May 16th, 2021: Rafael Nadal defeats Novak Djokovic, 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 – ATP Masters 1000 Rome Finals

October 11th, 2020: Rafael Nadal defeats Novak Djokovic, 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 – French Open Finals.

Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal overall head-to-head

Matches: 60

Novak Djokovic: 31

Rafael Nadal: 29

Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal Grand Slams head-to-head record

Matches: 18

Novak Djokovic: 7 

Rafael Nadal: 11

Nadal leads Djokovic 11–7 at the Grand Slams. Nadal leads Djokovic 8-2 at Roland Garros and 2-1 at Flushing Meadows. Djokovic has the lead over Nadal in Melbourne (2-0) and at Wimbledon (2-1). 

Their first full match in a Grand Slam was the 2007 French Open semifinal round (Djokovic retired in 2006), which Nadal won in straight sets. It wasn’t until the 2015 Roland Garros semis that Djokovic managed to score a win over Nadal after four consecutive losses in Paris. 

Djokovic lost his first Wimbledon semifinal to Nadal with another retirement when leading in the third set with the set score at one apiece. Their second meeting at SW19 came in 2011, where Djokovic made amends with a win in four sets. The most recent meeting at the grass-court major was in the 2018 semifinal, where the Serbian prevailed in a marathon five-setter 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(9), 3-6, 10-8.

Moving to Flushing Meadows, Nadal leads Djokovic 2-1 in New York. Nadal won the US Open trophy against Djokovic in 2010 and 2013 – both times in four sets. Djokovic took the win in 2011 in another four-set affair.

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