Rafael Nadal And Novak Djokovic To Meet For 59th Time In French Open Quarterfinals: By The Numbers

Long-time rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will meet for a 59th time in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros on Tuesday.

Whoever wins will be the favorite to capture the title on Sunday.

Djokovic, the world No. 1 and defending champion, cruised into the quarters via a 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 destruction of No. 15 Diego Schwartzman.

Nadal, the No. 5 seed and 13-time French open champion, had a much harder road before ultimately prevailing over No. 9 seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, in 4 hours, 21 minutes. Nadal broke in the eighth game of the fifth set and then served it out with a forehand winner into the open court after a short rally.

Djokovic prevailed over Nadal in four sets in last year’s semifinals, ending Nadal’s 35-match winning streak in Paris, after Nadal destroyed the Serb in straights in the 2020 final held in October.

“Of course we know each other well, we have a lot of history together,” Nadal said of Djokovic. “Of course, he came here after winning Rome. For me, have been not the ideal situation to arrive here.

“But here we are. We are in Roland Garros, it’s my favorite place without a doubt. And the only thing that I can tell you is I’m going to be focused since [Monday], going to try my best as always. I don’t know what can happen. The only thing I can guarantee is I’m going to fight until the end, so many thanks.”

Said Djokovic: “[It’s an] anticipated match for a lot of people. I am glad because I didn’t spend too much time on the court, because it will be physical. I am ready, I like my chances whoever comes.”

Here is a breakdown of the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry by the numbers:

21: After capturing the Australian Open in January, Nadal is the all-time men’s leader with 21 Grand Slam singles titles. He is seeking to extend his record with a 22nd major title, while Djokovic is looking to tie him at 21. Djokovic did not play at the Australian Open after being deported following his decision not to get vaccinated against Covid-19. Roger Federer, who hasn’t played since last year’s Wimbledon, is tied with Djokovic at 20 Slams.

109: Nadal is now 109-3 at Roland Garros.

13: Nadal is 13-0 in French Open finals, dating to his first title in 2005.

70: The two players are a combined 70 years old, but Nadal will turn 36 on June 3, making them a combined 71.

14: Number of times John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg squared off during their careers.

30: Djokovic leads the head-to-head, 30-28.

19: Nadal leads 19-8 head-to-head on clay.

10: Nadal leads 10-7 in Grand Slam matches

7: Nadal also leads 7-2 at Roland Garros.

25: Nadal is now 25-13 in five-set matches in his career.

3: Nadal is 3-0 in five-set matches at Roland Garros, having defeated John Isner (1st round, 2011), Djokovic (semis, 2013) and Auger-Aliassime (4th round, 2022).

8:13: Time on court for Djokovic in this French Open.

0: Sets dropped by Djokovic at this tournament.

2: Sets dropped by Nadal at this French Open.