Go all the way back to June 8, 2006, when Rafael Nadal moved on at the French Open after his 19-year-old, 63rd-ranked opponent in the quarterfinal quit because of a bad back while trailing two sets to none.
That opponent’s assessment of Nadal after facing him for the first time as professionals – “He’s the best on this surface, but he’s not unbeatable. That’s for sure.”
That foe? Novak Djokovic. Fast-forward to the final at Roland Garros on Sunday, when world number 1 Djokovic and number 2 Nadal will stand across from each other once again at Court Philippe Chatrier, only this time in October after the tournament was postponed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
A win against Novak Djokovic in Sunday’s French Open final would see Rafael Nadal pull even with Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam titles in men’s tennis – 20. – Getty Images
It will be their 56th…
