‘My favorite memory is when I won here against him” Novak Djokovic recalls his first clay-court victory over Rafael Nadal
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Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic recounted the first time he defeated Rafael Nadal, the ‘King of Clay,’ on the latter’s preferred surface. It happened in the Mutua Madrid Open final in 2011, with the Serb winning in straight sets.
The triumph against Nadal on the battue came at the tenth time of asking for the World No. 1. Djokovic recalls that day fondly more than a decade later. The 34-year-old was quick to recall his triumph against Nadal in 2011 final during a recent interview with Marca regarding his best Madrid Open experience. The world no.1 said, recollecting fondly, “My favorite memory is when I won here against Nadal. The first time I had beaten him on his favorite surface. It was in 2011, and I won that Mutua Madrid Open, which was very special for me,” he said.
It was the beginning of Djokovic’s seven straight triumphs over the King of Clay, all-in event finals. Only a week after his Madrid victory, Djokovic defeated Nadal once more on clay, this time in the final of the Rome Masters. For the first time in his career, Djokovic got to the top of the men’s singles rankings that year.
Novak Djokovic vs Rafael Nadal: What was the result on clay?
Novak Djokovic does not have a winning record versus Rafael Nadal on clay, despite a slim 30-28 head-to-head edge. On the surface, Djokovic has only won eight of his 27 matches with the Spaniard.
Four of those triumphs, though, have occurred in tournament finals (2011 Madrid, 2011 Rome, 2013 Monte-Carlo and 2014 Rome). Djokovic’s other two victories came at Roland Garros, where he is the only player to defeat the 13-time winner twice. In an exciting semifinal at Roland Garros in 2013, the Serb came close to defeating Nadal. Nadal went on to win his ninth championship at the tournament despite squandering multiple break opportunities in the fourth set and a break lead in the fifth. Djokovic, on the other hand, would exact his vengeance two years later.
He won in straight sets, while Rafael Nadal lost for only the second time in 72 encounters at Roland Garros. Djokovic caused Nadal more pain at his favorite event last year, winning a four-set quarterfinal to deprive the left-hander the chance to earn a record-tying 14th Roland Garros championship.
Novak Djokovic then defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, becoming the first player in the Open Era to win a career Grand Slam twice. Djokovic was denied the opportunity to capture the calendar-year Grand Slam later in the year after losing in the final of the US Open to Daniil Medvedev.
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Harini Mahesh
(159 Articles Published)