Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have both won 22 slams, making them the most successful male players in history. According to top coach Patrick Mouratoglou, their most important asset is their mental strength. Patrick commented:
In the 2012 Australian Open final, Djokovic won 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5 after five hours and 53 minutes. At that time, Mouratoglou commented:
“Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal went beyond their physical limits. They are probably the best players in the game’s history when we talk about mental strength. It helped them to maintain a high level and go over their limits. It was one of the most mental matches in tennis history. They refused to surrender, and their minds brought them over the edge.”
Rafael Nadal in 2023
Currently ranked no.8, the Spaniard played his last match on the 18th of January when he surrendered to world no.62 Mackenzie Mcdonald 6-4 6-4 7-5 in the 2nd round of the Australian Open (draw).
Presently, during this year the Spaniard owns an overall 1-3 record.
Nadal will play next in Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open). He will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 8th of March.
Djokovic in Dubai, ranking, and results in 2023
LWWWWWWLWW Currently the world no.1, Novak owns a 14-0 record in 2023. The Serbian is now competing in Dubai where he beat the world no.130 Tomas Machac 6-3 3-6 7-61 and the world no.39 Tallon Griekspoor 6-2 6-3.
Novak Djokovic will face the world no.11 Hubert Hurkacz in the quarter on Thursday at 7:00 pm on CENTRE COURT. Their current head to head is 4-0 for Djokovic.
Djokovic clinched 2 titles in 2023 in Adelaide and Australian Open.
Novak won 93 titles in his career: 50 on hard courts, 18 on clay courts, 17 on indoor courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
He is also scheduled to play in Miami (Miami Open) after Indian Wells. The main draw will start on the 8th of March.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic played each other 59 times. Their record is 30-29 for Djokovic. The last time they fought against each other, Rafael Nadal won 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6(4) in the quarter in Paris (French Open) in May 2022.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic |
| Embed from Getty Images |
