By Chris Oddo | Saturday March 19 2016
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will renew the ATP Tour’s longest-running rivalry on Saturday at the BNP Paribas Open. It’s a rivalry that has seen large, productive swings from both sides, and at the moment Djokovic is enjoying a run of 11 consecutive sets against Nadal. Regardless of who is winning and who holds the all-time edge (Djokovic, for the first time, leads Nadal 24-23), the one constant in the rivalry has been the amount of respect that the two stars have for one another.
Cameras captured Nadal and Djokovic high-fiving one another in the tunnel after Nadal notched a big round of 16 win at Indian Wells on Wednesday:
Though it was just a snippet, this poignant photographic moment inspires us to reflect on what these two legends of the game have meant to one another. Though they are bitter rivals on the court, their mutual respect is palpable off of it.
That much was clear in the press room on Friday as each discussed the meaning of the rivalry ahead of their 48th encounter.
Here’s some snippets of what was said:
Novak, on the rivalry:
“Almost 10 years later we are completely different players than we were back then, more experienced, and I think physically very prepared, both of us. But, you know, 48 matches later, as well, a lot has happened. You know, it keeps going.
“So, I mean, I enjoy a rivalry against Rafa. It's probably the most exciting rivalry I have, you know, in my career. Hopefully we can play many more matches.”
Nadal, on Djokovic’s dominant win against him in Doha this January:
“No, for sure was not close. Was easy for him, no? But at the same time, was great points. I think the result was so easy. The game was not that easy, no?
“But is obvious that Novak played unbelievable, and when he plays that way, so difficult to stop him. Nothing to say about that match than offer congratulations to him. Tomorrow is another day. He's a clear favorite because he's winning all the matches almost every time.”
Nadal, on Djokovic’s evolution:
“Well, I think Novak improved in all aspects, no? I think he's a good guy. At the same time, you know, he learned a lot from the beginning on court and outside of the court in general, no? I think, as I said before, no, he's smart and he's very intelligent. He knows how to do the things. He's doing the things good in all aspects. That's it, no?”
Djokovic, on his victory over Nadal in Doha and how the Indian Wells conditions should be better for Nadal:
“Well, that's definitely one of the best matches I have played against Rafa. I will try to take a close look at that match and what I have done right. But, again, you know, we have to consider the different -- completely different conditions. We played in Doha on a bit quicker surface. The balls were not bouncing as high. It was night. It was colder than here. Tomorrow is going to be very warm. Ball bounces very high, which he, you know, prefers, because the spin, rotation that he generates with his shots is, you know, really big. The court is picking that rotation up here with the bounce. He likes the conditions, actually. We played against each other here several times and always close matches.”
Djokovic, on owning the edge in the pair’s rivalry:
“Certainly it is pleasing to know that I have managed to, for the first time in my career ever since I started playing professional tennis, that I'm leading in a head-to-head against Roger and Rafa.
“I mean, that wasn't the case for ten years, and I worked very hard in order to have that positive head-to-head. It does matter. It does really matter, of course. To what extent, it really does depend. You know, I try not to make a big deal out of it, but I understand that being on the north side of head-to-head, it does contribute to my, I would say, preparations for the matches, matchups against them.”