Djokovic vs Nadal - Preview - French Open

French Open 2012 - Djokovic vs. Nadal

Eleven months is all that separates these two champions in age-terms. There really is nothing to pick in this fourth straight grand slam final between the two. In fact, the last nine meetings between them have all been in finals - which led me to write this blog.

Both men are incidentally just a match away from making history.

Djokovic had laid the genesis of what could turn out to be an unforgettable, history making season by winning the Australian Open back in January. But, even if he fails to match Rod Laver's feat (or perhaps go one up by winning the Olympic Gold), and the Australian Open is to be the zenith of this season, his achievements over the last one-and-a-half years will still go down as one of the greatest feats ever accomplished on the men's tour. And he can take comfort in the fact that after several years of playing in the shadow of Nadal and Federer, he hogged the front pages of newspapers for the right reasons.

As for Nadal, he would definitely like to avoid joining the list of beaten finalists yet again (perhaps he holds the record for the most consecutive defeats to a single opponent in grand slam finals). Right now, only one other player has managed to complete a career grand slam - Andre Agassi. So, that puts Nadal in a very exclusive group - for the time-being at least. He's also chasing an unprecedented seventh French Open title and go one up on the great Björn Borg.

If Djokovic manages to win the the remaining three majors and the Gold, he would be the one and only man in Men's tennis to have ever accomplished such a feat. Incidentally, Steffi Graf is the only player to have pulled off this epic feat.

Djokovic may end up with a leading head-to-head record against the Nadal (14-18) & Federer (12-14) as early as this year-end and the Rock, Paper, Scissors story might be put to rest. This man would then undisputedly be the best of his generation.

But, given the recent outcomes of the clashes between them, and their route to the final, I guess Nadal will prevail - and quite comfortably so. It's going to take a superhuman effort by Djokovic to down Nadal this time. 

Who's your pick for Sunday's final? Mention in the comments.

Praveen Rajaretnam

    

Related Posts: The Holy Trinity of Tennis & Has Tennis' Greatest Rivalry Reached Its Conclusion

Disclaimer: I do not own the copyright of the images. No infringement of copyright was intended and the images are not being used for commercial purposes. The original photographs were edited purely for non-commercial reasons.

Has Tennis' Greatest Rivalry Reached Its Conclusion?

Whenever these two players walked out to the center court, there is this pulsating sensation marked with excitement - Every Single Time. It's the nearest thing the game of tennis can get to the visceral intensity experienced in, say, a football match!

What makes their clashes so special?

The Greatest Rivalry In Sports

Contrasting Styles

If Federer's style is akin to that of a Tai chi master - Subtle, Elegant & Refined, then Nadal's is like that of a Taekwondo expert - Hard, Unorthodox & Abrupt.

If Federer's movements are graceful, then Nadal's is bludgeoning.

If Federer's game seems like an effortless ballet, then Nadal's is an adrenaline-packed power dance.

If Federer's opera plays Tchaikovsky's Overture, then Nadal's is Death Metal's greatest solo act. 

Federer waltzes on court with a Matador's grace. Nadal is the bull charging towards that Matador with extreme fluidity & an unyielding focus.

Federer showcases the precision and technique of the game to beautiful effect. On talent & grace alone, he should be considered the world's best player (his style is reminiscent of the great Björn Borg). Nadal, on the other hand, displays the strength and athleticism behind the game - an amazing blend of power & agility. Not to forget his ability to come back stronger when pushed to the brink each time, he shows a mental toughness seen only among the most elite warriors.

The History

Back in 2005, Roger Federer had established himself as the undisputed king of tennis. He wasn't just the dominant player, or the one who carried that then oft-used moniker - 'The Man to Beat' - he simply was in a different league altogether. There was no one to challenge his supremacy. Names were dropped - Roddick, Hewitt, Safin, Nalbandian - but they all faded into oblivion.

And then, a prodigious talent came along. A teenager from Majorca attracted the spotlight. On one surface, he was in his element and the world marveled as he weaved his magic on it. He was unmatched and he still is. The 'Ides of March', 2004 would mark the start of a great rivalry. Rafael Nadal, aged 17, beat the then seemingly invincible World Number 1, Roger Federer, in straight sets. A few months later, Federer would taste his first victory against the Spaniard. They would meet again in the French Open semifinal (the first of only two such occasions thus far - all their other meetings have been in finals), where Nadal would again emerge victorious. 

That 2008 Wimbledon Final

On a never to be forgotten night, in what many consider to be the greatest match of all time, their rivalry had reached its' peak. It turned out to be a very cathartic match for Rafa as he beat Fedex for the first time on grass, capturing his first grand slam on a surface other than clay. The battle for supremacy would continue for another two-and-a-half years until Djokovic broke out of his cocoon with a vastly improved all round game for any surface.

That following year, Federer finally won the French open and completed a career grand slam when Nadal was ousted in the fourth round by Soderling - his only defeat at Roland Garros till date.

Farewell

For the past 8 years, this rivalry has delighted tennis fans and produced the best tennis of this generation, perhaps in history. Thus far, they have scripted 28 fine memories, and even though every tennis fan would hope for a few more, this famed rivalry may be reaching its' twilight. Federer has been performing at the highest level consistently for the past decade. And today, Djokovic and Federer meet again in yet another semifinal of a Grand Slam. The clashes between Nadal and Federer have reduced in the last few tournaments and it seems to have nothing to do with rankings. Most draws just put them in the opposite halves.

Both gentlemen are great role-models and represent everything good about the sport. Nothing could be more befitting for Federer than to play his farewell match (which is still a few years away) against his greatest rival and admirer, Nadal, and in front of his idol & legend, Pete Sampras.

Related Post: The Holy Trinity of Tennis

Praveen Rajaretnam

    
Disclaimer: I do not own the copyright of the images. No infringement of copyright was intended and the images are not being used for commercial purposes. The original photographs were edited purely for non-commercial reasons.