Novak Djokovic braced to deliver Rafael Nadal hammer blow at French Open

Djokovic renews his epic 16-year rivalry with Rafael Nadal at the French Open on Tuesday with a semi-final spot at stake and where victory could end the 13-time champion's Roland Garros career. Nadal, who will turn 36 on Friday, puts his record of 109 wins and just three losses in Paris, since his title-winning debut in 2005, on the line against the defending champion. The Spaniard was taken to five sets for only the third time in his tournament history by 21-year-old Felix Auger-Aliassime in the fourth round. In the immediate aftermath of that victory, Nadal admitted that not only was this year's French Open at stake for him but possibly his entire playing future.

Read AlsoRafael Nadal vows to fight in 'big challenge' against Novak Djokovic

Rafa Nadal understands it will be a "big challenge" for him to beat Novak Djokovic in Tuesday's French Open quarter-final but the 13-times winner vowed not to shy away from a fight against the world number one.

"I know my situation, and I accept it. I can't complain much," said Nadal, who arrived in Paris unsure if he would be able to take part after suffering a recurrence in Rome of a chronic foot injury which has plagued him for large parts of his career. "I am just enjoying the fact that I am here for one more year. And being honest, every match that I play here, I don't know if it's going to be my last at Roland Garros. "I went through a tough process again with my foot, so I don't know what can happen in the near future." Overall, Djokovic leads Nadal 30-28 since their first career meeting at the 2006 French Open. Nadal has a 19-8 edge on clay and has won seven of the pair's nine meetings in Paris. Djokovic, however, came out on top in the semi-finals at Roland Garros in 2021 on