The 59th part of the legendary rivalry between the two tennis greats of all time was another thriller, with Nadal winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (4).
The quarterfinal match, which ended after 1 am local time in Paris, lasted more than four hours and was one of the most anticipated in the tournament.
The 35-year-old Spaniard is aiming for a record-breaking 14th French Open title as well as a 22nd Grand Prix. Nadal will face Alex Zverev from Germany in the semifinals. Zverev, the world number 3, advanced after beating 19-year-old Spaniard and world number 6 Carlos Alcaras in four sets on Tuesday.
In their direct matches, more than any other two men in the professional era of the sport, Nadal defeated Djokovic 29 times, while Djokovic won 30.
And during Nadal’s long brilliant career, he played 113 games at Roland Garros and won 110 of them. Djokovic is responsible for two of those three defeats in Paris.
But could this year’s French Open be Nadal’s last? It seems that the 13-time Roland Garros champion, who is dealing with a severe leg injury, is not sure.
On Sunday, after winning five sets against Felix Auger-Aliasime in the round of 16, Nadal said: “Two and a half weeks ago, even if I had (positive hopes) after Rome, I didn’t even know if I could be here. So I’m just enjoying the fact that I’m here for another year. And honestly, every game I play here, I don’t know if this will be my last Roland Garros game in my tennis career. “
After winning four sets against Djokovic, he told reporters that it was “one of those memorable nights” and that he was “investing everything” in trying to “play this tournament under the best possible conditions”.
“The audience has been amazing since the start of the tournament,” Nadal said. “I do not know. I think they probably know I won’t be here (many) times. “
Nadal was asked if there was any extra emotional burden on him, knowing that each match could be his last.
“I do not know what could happen. I think, as I said before, I will play in this tournament because we are doing things to be ready to play in this tournament, but I don’t know what will happen next, “he said.
“I have what I have in my foot, so if we can’t find an improvement or a little solution, then it becomes super difficult for me.”
Nadal said he simply enjoyed every day at Roland Garros, “without thinking much about what might happen in the future” and “will continue to fight to find a solution.”
After the match, Djokovic congratulated Nadal, saying he “showed why he is a great champion. You know, he stayed there mentally difficult and finished the match the way he did.”
World No. 1 said, “I did my best,” but “I know I could have played better.”
“I’m proud to fight and stay until the last blow. Like I said, you know, today I lost to a better player … over four hours of fighting and I have to accept that defeat.”
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