French Open: At the French Open, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will encounter for the 59th time in their illustrious careers. Is this, however, their final match at Roland Garros?
Nadal took his time, but eventually delivered, setting up a quarter-final match that will likely define this year’s Grand Slam in Paris.
Nadal, a 13-time Roland Garros champion, defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime in five tense sets that lasted four hours and 21 minutes.
It was a match in stark contrast to Djokovic’s, with the Serb dispatching Diego Schwartzman in under two and a quarter hours.
So the stage is set for the gilded duo to take to Court Philippe Chatrier, with Djokovic winning the first battle even before a ball is struck, as Roland Garros administrators predictably chose the night match under the lights, but Nadal preferred to play during the day.
The match will also be broadcast live on French television at 9 p.m. local time, making everyone happy (except Nadal, of course).
How many more of these brawls are there to come?
On Friday, Nadal will turn 36, while Djokovic will turn 35 on May 22. It will be their first match since the world No. 1 won the French Open semi-final last year.
“I haven’t played in these kinds of matches for the last three months, so it’s going to be a big challenge for me,” admitted Nadal.
“He’s already won I think the last nine matches in a row, winning in Rome and now winning here in straight sets every match. He will be confident. I’m going to fight for it.
“I am in the quarter-finals of Roland Garros. Two and a half weeks ago I didn’t even know if I would be able to be here. So I am just enjoying the fact that I am here for one more year. To be honest, every match that I play here, I don’t know if it’s going to be my last match here in Roland Garros in my tennis career.”
Defending champion Djokovic, on the other hand, comes into the tournament with a lot of confidence after reaching the quarterfinals without dropping a set.
“I’m pleased I didn’t spend too much time on the court myself up to the quarter-finals,” he remarked, “because facing him in Roland-Garros is usually a physical challenge, on top of everything else.”
“It happens. It’s a huge challenge and probably the biggest one that you can have here in Roland-Garros. I’m ready for it. I like my chances.”
