Australian tennis legend Rod Laver congratulated Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic for the show they put on during their French Open quarterfinal match.
First-seeded Djokovic was given the slight edge going into the match but 13-time French Open champion Nadal remininded everyone why he’s so successful at Roland Garros as he beat the Serb 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6 (4).
Djokovic had a 5-2 lead in the fourth set and two set points in the ninth game but failed to realize as Nadal completed a four-set victory in a stunning style.
“59 times over 17 years, the Novak and Rafa chronicle is as thrilling as ever. What a delight to witness another installment on Philippe Chatrier tonight. Congratulations on this occasion Rafael Nadal. The quest for 14 Roland Garros titles continues. Incredible,” Laver tweeted.
59 times over 17 years, the Novak and Rafa chronicle is as thrilling as ever. What a delight to witness another installment on Philippe Chatrier tonight. Congratulations on this occasion @RafaelNadal. The quest for 14 #RolandGarros titles continues. Incredible. š
ā Rod Laver (@rodlaver) May 31, 2022
Nadal edged out Djokovic in a classic
Going into the French Open, Nadal’s fitness and game levels were questioned but he once again showed why he is an all-time great.
“It has been a very emotional night for me. I’m still playing for nights like today,” Nadal said in his post-match press conference. “But it’s just a quarter-final match, no? So I didn’t win anything. So I just [need to] give myself a chance to be back on court in two days, play another semifinals here in Roland Garros. [It] means a lot to me.”
Even though Djokovic lost, he still leads the head-to-head versus Nadal 30-29.
“Of course we have a lot of history together,” Nadal added. “A lot of important moments playing against each other. That’s the truth. In that case, [it] always is a special match, playing against Novak.
“Tonight [was] just a quarter-final match, not the final… But still a super classic match and in a big scenario. Between Novak, Roger [Federer], myself ā we have an amazing story together facing each other in the most important matches for such a long time. So that makes things more special and more emotional.”
Nadal plays Alexander Zverev in the French Open semifinal.