Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic is ‘biggest’ rivalry in tennis history – Corretja ahead of French Open clash

Rafael Nadal’s rivalry with Novak Djokovic is the biggest in the history of men’s tennis, claims Eurosport expert Alex Corretja. The pair have had a spree of titanic tussles since their first meeting at the 2006 French Open and, despite having a combined age of 70, remain the two most feared competitors on the circuit.

Ad/> They have met a record 58 times with Djokovic leading the head-to-head 30-28, although the record is flipped 7-2 in Nadal’s favour on the hallowed red dirt at Roland-Garros. Roland-Garros'Reason to get angry' – Djokovic's coach Ivanisevic praying crowd support… Nadal3 HOURS AGO Men’s tennis has been blessed with a host of fantastic rivalries through the years, including Roger Federer-Nadal, Ivan Lendl-John McEnroe and Boris Becker-Stefan Edberg, but Corretja believes one duel stands above the rest.

“I think we should consider this the biggest one, even if you like Federer-Nadal or McEnroe-Borg, Edberg-Becker the most,” he said ahead of the Nadal and Djokovic’s latest meeting in the French Open quarter-finals on Tuesday evening. “Djokovic-Nadal, both of them are fighters, they always give 100% and you know that until the match is over they can come back.

It’s so difficult to win points. “If you’re Rafa, you like to move your opponent from side to side.

If you’re Novak, you’re going to hang in there, mix up your game, change it up down the line, serve well, drop shots. “Everything will happen in this match and especially on clay, where they need to suffer more to usual and be more patient than on grass or hard courts, where they can maybe find easier winners.” 'The rivalry is unbelievable' — Big names have their say on Djokovic vs Nadal 'The rivalry is unbelievable' — Big names have their say on