While Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal rivalry might be considered as the greatest rivalry of the sport but the rivalry between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic is equally cherished all over the world. The two have produced a high number of nail-biting encounters.
The two legends of the game have met each other 48 times in their career with Djokovic leading their head-to-head 26-22. The Serbian also has a superior head-to-head of 10-6 against the Swiss in the major events. The intensity of their rivalry can be understood by a fact, which suggests that Federer is the only player to have beaten Djokovic in all the four majors. Likewise, Djokovic is the only player to defeat Federer in all the four majors.
Federer and Djokovic have played against each other all over the world with thrilling fans and a rare display of astonishing tennis. Here's a look back at the five best matches in the 48 match series. Surprisingly, Djokovic won all of their crucial battles. However, these matches will forever be entrenched in the history of the sport, as we hope to alter in the coming years.
Wimbledon Championships 2019 Finals
Wimbledon Championships 2019 Finals
World No. 1, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer were bidding for their own milestones when they met at the Wimbledon Championships 2019 finals. The Serbian was aiming for his 5th title at the All England Lawn Tennis Club and 16th overall major title. While the Swiss was targeting a record 9th Wimbledon Championships title and 21st overall grand slam title.
Novak Djokovic started the match positively as he conquered the first set in the tiebreaker but struggled in the second he was taken aback by the 37-year-old. The 32-year-old again edged the 20-time grand slam champion in the third set tiebreaker. Federer didn't let down his game as he broke his opponent once to level the match at 2-2.
The match went on till the final set with nothing to differentiate between them as it was the first time that the final set tiebreaker was played at the Championships. Djokovic again controlled the tiebreaker as he defeated Federer 7-6 (7-5),1-6, 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 13-12 (7-3).
Novak Djokovic became the first man to save Championship points in a final and win the title. The match also created history as it was the longest Wimbledon finals till date. The statistics show that Novak Djokovic was an inferior player than Roger Federer. Djokovic won 204 points to Federer’s 218 and was outdone on the winner count by 94 to 54 but still, he played the important points better than his opponent, which helped him to claim the Wimbledon crown.
Wimbledon Championships 2014 Finals
Wimbledon Championships 2019 Finals
Drama again took center stage on the Centre Court of the most prestigious tennis tournament, the Wimbledon Championships in 2014 when Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer locked horns in the finals.
It was time for another see-saw battle which ended with a five-set classic. Neither of the two could take advantage of the momentum as the other would come back to equalize the match. The Serbian lagged in the start as he lost the first set in a nail-biting tiebreaker. He came back to win the second and third to take the momentum with him as he controlled the match.
However, Djokovic could not hold onto the momentum for long enough as Federer stole it back in the fourth to level back the match at 2-2. After rallying through the final set, it Federer who had the last breath as Djokovic conquered his second Wimbledon Championships title. He defeated Federer 6-7 (7), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-4, denying him a record 8th Wimbledon Championships title.
US Open 2010 Semifinals
US Open 2010 Semifinals
The US Open 2010 Semi-Finals was the start of the major turnaround of their rivalry. Before the US Open 2010, Roger Federer had dominated their head-to-head 10-5. Also, at the grand slam stage, Federer was leading 4-1 against Djokovic. The Swiss was clearly the favorite to win the match as the statistics were on his side. He had also defeated the Serb in three straight years at the Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Roger Federer was on a way for the fourth straight victory over Djokovic in New York as he won the first set. The Serb, however, came back strongly as he dominated the second set but was again put on the back foot in the third set as Federer took a lead of 2-1. The story of alternate sets continued as Nole won the fourth set quite comfortably to level back the match.
The match took a twist at 5-5 in the final set when Novak Djokovic changed gears, hitting some of the best forehands of his career and defeated Federer 5-7, 6-1, 5-7, 6-2, 7-5 to reach the second finals at Flushing Meadows.
US Open 2011 Semifinals
US Open 2011 Semifinals
In the US Open 2011 semifinals, both the players experienced Deja Vu as they met in a rematch of the US Open 2010. The match was a replica of their 2010 US Open semifinal match as the scoreline suggests. Novak Djokovic entered the match with a 62-2 win-loss record in 2011, while Federer was looking unassailable in New York.
Roger Federer took the first set in a tiebreaker. Novak Djokovic came back harder in the second to win the set comfortably. The see-saw ride continued as the Swiss took hold in the third to take a crucial lead. Djokovic again came back to conquer the fourth as the match went to the final set.
Federer earned two match points in the fifth set to set a final against Rafael Nadal. However, Djokovic played spectacular forehands to save the match points. Roger Federer couldn't escape off that point as he allowed Nole to win four consecutive games in one of the most remembered comebacks of his career. Novak Djokovic reached the second consecutive finals in New York defeating Federer 6-7 (7), 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5.
Canadian Open 2007 Finals
Canadian Open 2007 Finals
Novak Djokovic produced the best performance of his career till 2007 when he stunned Roger Federer 7-6, 2-6, 7-6 at the Montreal Masters 2007 final. Federer entered the match as a clear favorite as he was bidding for his Master's title in Canada in as many appearances.
The Swiss was put on the back foot in the first set itself as the 20-year-old Serb won the set. The then five-time Wimbledon Champion lifted his game in the second set but he lost the deciding set as Djokovic conquered the Rogers Cup 2007
The 20-year-old, Novak Djokovic also climbed up the ATP rankings to the world no. 3 after conquering the Canadian Open.
