Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have played each other 59 times on the ATP Tour with Novak currently leading their H2H 30-29.
The first Nadal vs Djokovic match was in the quarterfinals of the French Open in 2006, with Rafa winning the match after Novak retired in the third set.
Their most recent match was also at the French Open in 2022, with Rafa winning in four sets (6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6).
Nadal vs Djokovic Head to Head
| Rafael Nadal | Vs | Novak Djokovic |
|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Year born | 1987 |
| 2001 | Year turned Pro | 2003 |
| Spanish | Nationality | Serbian |
| Left handed | Plays | Right handed |
| Two handed backhand | Backhand | Two handed backhand |
| 29 | Matches won | 30 |
| 49% (29/59) | Winning Percentage | 51% (30/59) |
| 7 | Matches won on a hard court | 20 |
| 20 | Matches won on clay | 8 |
| 2 | Matches won on grass | 2 |
| 13 | Matches won in Finals | 16 |
| 5 | Matches won in Grand Slam Finals | 4 |
| 7 | Matches won in Masters 1000 Finals | 7 |
| 2 | Matches won in ATP World Tour Finals | 3 |
Grand Slam Head to Head
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have faced each other a total of 18 times in grand slam tournaments with Rafa currently leading their grand slam head to head 11-7.
In total, they have met each other twice at the Australian Open (2012 and 2019), ten times at the French Open (2006, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020, 2021, and 2022), three times at Wimbledon (2007, 2011, and 2018), and three times at the US Open (2010, 2011, and 2013).
Out of their 18 grand slam matches, nine were in a final, six were in a semifinal and three were in a quarterfinal.
Their last Grand Slam match was in the quarterfinals of the 2022 French Open, which Rafa won in four sets (6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6).
| Year | Tournament | Round | Winner | Match Score | H2H |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Roland Garros | QF | R.N | 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 | 11-7 |
| 2021 | Roland Garros | SF | N.D | 3-6 6-3 7-6 6-2 | 10-7 |
| 2020 | Roland Garros | F | R.N | 6-0 6-2 7-5 | 10-6 |
| 2019 | Australian Open | F | N.D | 6-3 6-2 6-3 | 9-6 |
| 2018 | Wimbledon | SF | N.D | 6-4 3-6 7-6 3-6 10-8 | 9-5 |
| 2015 | Roland Garros | QF | N.D | 7-5 6-3 6-1 | 9-4 |
| 2014 | Roland Garros | F | R.N | 3-6 7-5 6-2 6-4 | 9-3 |
| 2013 | US Open | F | R.N | 6-2 3-6 6-4 6-1 | 8-3 |
| 2013 | Roland Garros | SF | R.N | 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-7 9-7 | 7-3 |
| 2012 | Roland Garros | F | R.N | 6-4 6-3 2-6 7-5 | 6-3 |
| 2012 | Australian Open | F | N.D | 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 7-5 | 5-3 |
| 2011 | US Open | F | N.D | 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-1 | 5-2 |
| 2011 | Wimbledon | F | N.D | 6-4 6-1 1-6 6-3 | 5-1 |
| 2010 | US Open | F | R.N | 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-2 | 5-0 |
| 2008 | Roland Garros | SF | R.N | 6-4 6-2 7-6 | 4-0 |
| 2007 | Wimbledon | SF | R.N | 3-6 6-1 4-1 | 3-0 |
| 2007 | Roland Garros | SF | R.N | 7-5 6-4 6-2 | 2-0 |
| 2006 | Roland Garros | QF | R.N | 6-4 6-4 | 1-0 |
H2H by Court Surface
Grass
They have played each other four times on grass with Novak leading their H2H on grass 3-1.
Three out of the four matches were at Wimbledon including an epic 5-set match in the semifinals of the 2018 Wimbledon Championships which Novak won 10-8 in the fifth.
| Year | Tournament | Round | Winner | Match Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Wimbledon | SF | N.D | 6-4 3-6 7-6 3-6 10-8 |
| 2011 | Wimbledon | F | N.D | 6-4 6-1 1-6 6-3 |
| 2008 | Queen’s Club | F | R.N | 7-6 7-5 |
| 2007 | Wimbledon | SF | R.N | 3-6 6-1 4-1 |
Clay
They have played each other a total of 28 times on clay courts (more than any other surface) with Rafa currently leading the clay court H2H 20-8.
| Year | Tournament | Round | Winner | Match Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | French Open | QF | R.N | 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 |
| 2021 | French Open | SF | N.D | 3-6 6-3 7-6 6-2 |
| 2021 | Rome Masters | F | R.N | 7-5 1-6 6-3 |
| 2020 | French Open | F | R.N | 6-0 6-2 7-5 |
| 2019 | Rome Masters | F | R.N | 6-0 4-6 6-1 |
| 2018 | Rome Masters | SF | R.N | 7-6 6-3 |
| 2017 | Madrid Masters | SF | R.N | 6-2 6-4 |
| 2016 | Rome Masters | QF | N.D | 7-5 7-6 |
| 2015 | French Open | QF | N.D | 7-5 6-3 6-1 |
| 2015 | Monte Carlo Masters | SF | N.D | 6-3 6-3 |
| 2014 | French Open | F | R.N | 3-6 7-5 6-2 6-4 |
| 2014 | Rome Masters | F | N.D | 4-6 6-3 6-3 |
| 2013 | French Open | SF | R.N | 6-4 3-6 6-1 6-7 9-7 |
| 2013 | Monte Carlo Masters | F | N.D | 6-2 7-6 |
| 2012 | French Open | F | R.N | 6-4 6-3 2-6 7-5 |
| 2012 | Rome Masters | F | R.N | 7-5 6-3 |
| 2012 | Monte Carlo Masters | F | R.N | 6-3 6-1 |
| 2011 | Rome Masters | F | N.D | 6-4 6-4 |
| 2011 | Madrid Masters | F | N.D | 7-5 6-4 |
| 2009 | Madrid Masters | SF | R.N | 3-6 7-6 7-6 |
| 2009 | Rome Masters | F | R.N | 7-6 6-2 |
| 2009 | Monte Carlo Masters | F | R.N | 6-3 2-6 6-1 |
| 2009 | Davis Cup – Spain vs. Serbia | Group Stage | R.N | 6-4 6-4 6-1 |
| 2008 | Roland Garros | SF | R.N | 6-4 6-2 7-6 |
| 2008 | Hamburg | SF | R.N | 7-5 2-6 6-2 |
| 2007 | Roland Garros | SF | R.N | 7-5 6-4 6-2 |
| 2007 | Rome Masters | QF | R.N | 6-2 6-3 |
| 2006 | Roland Garros | QF | R.N | 6-4 6-4 |
Hard Courts
They have played each other a total of 27 times on hard courts (indoor and outdoor) with Novak leading their hard court H2H 20-7.
Their last meeting on hard courts was in the final of the ATP Cup, which Novak won in straight sets (6-2, 7-6).
| Year | Tournament | Round | Winner | Match Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | ATP Cup | F | N.D | 6-2 7-6 |
| 2019 | Australian Open | F | N.D | 6-3 6-2 6-3 |
| 2016 | Indian Wells | SF | N.D | 7-6 6-2 |
| 2016 | Doha | F | N.D | 6-1 6-2 |
| 2015 | ATP Finals | SF | N.D | 6-3 6-3 |
| 2015 | Beijing | F | N.D | 6-2 6-2 |
| 2014 | Miami | F | N.D | 6-3 6-3 |
| 2013 | ATP Finals | F | N.D | 6-3 6-4 |
| 2013 | Beijing | F | N.D | 6-3 6-4 |
| 2013 | US Open | F | R.N | 6-2 3-6 6-4 6-1 |
| 2013 | Canadian Masters | SF | R.N | 6-4 3-6 7-6 |
| 2012 | Australian Open | F | N.D | 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-7 7-5 |
| 2011 | US Open | F | N.D | 6-2 6-4 6-7 6-1 |
| 2011 | Miami | F | N.D | 4-6 6-3 7-6 |
| 2011 | Indian Wells | F | N.D | 4-6 6-3 6-2 |
| 2010 | ATP Finals | Group Stage | R.N | 7-5 6-2 |
| 2010 | US Open | F | R.N | 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-2 |
| 2009 | ATP Finals | Group Stage | N.D | 7-6 6-3 |
| 2009 | Paris Masters | SF | N.D | 6-2 6-3 |
| 2009 | Cincinnati | SF | N.D | 6-1 6-4 |
| 2008 | Beijing Olympics | SF | R.N | 6-4 1-6 6-4 |
| 2008 | Cincinnati | SF | N.D | 6-1 7-5 |
| 2008 | Indian Wells | SF | N.D | 6-3 6-2 |
| 2007 | Tennis Masters Cup | Group Stage | R.N | 6-4 6-4 |
| 2007 | Canadian Masters | SF | N.D | 7-5 6-3 |
| 2007 | Miami Masters | QF | N.D | 6-3 6-4 |
| 2007 | Indian Wells | F | R.N | 6-2 7-5 |
Matches Played per Year
Novak and Rafa’s first match was in 2006 (Roland Garros), with their most recent match being in 2022 (Roland Garros).
From 2006 to 2022, they played each other at least once a year with 2007 and 2009 seeing the most Djokovic vs Nadal matches being played in a single year (7).
| Year | Matches | R.Nadal | N.Djokovic | H2H |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 | 1 | – | 1-0 |
| 2007 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 6-2 |
| 2008 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 10-4 |
| 2009 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 14-7 |
| 2010 | 2 | 2 | – | 16-7 |
| 2011 | 6 | – | 6 | 16-13 |
| 2012 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 19-14 |
| 2013 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 22-17 |
| 2014 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 23-19 |
| 2015 | 4 | – | 4 | 23-23 |
| 2016 | 3 | – | 3 | 23-26 |
| 2017 | 1 | 1 | – | 24-26 |
| 2018 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 25-27 |
| 2019 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 26-28 |
| 2020 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 27-29 |
| 2021 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 28-30 |
| 2022 | 1 | 1 | – | 29-30 |
Below are match highlights from their most recent match at the French Open in 2022.
Nadal vs Djokovic – Who is the GOAT?
It is becoming increasingly likely that the title of GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) will be either Novak or Rafa, as they both have won more major tennis titles than the recently retired Roger Federer.
At the moment, Novak is the favorite to claim the GOAT title as he has won more ATP titles than Rafa (97 vs 92), more Masters 1000 titles (40 vs 36), more year end number 1s (7 vs 2), more ATP Finals (6 vs 0), and has spent more weeks as the number 1 player in the world.
| GOAT Stats | Rafael Nadal | Novak Djokovic |
|---|---|---|
| Year born | 1986 | 1987 |
| Year turned Pro | 2001 | 2003 |
| Nationality | Spanish | Serbian |
| Plays | Left handed | Right handed |
| Backhand | Two handed backhand | Two handed backhand |
| Grand Slam Wins | 22 | 24 |
| Australian Open | 2 | 10 |
| French Open | 14 | 3 |
| Wimbledon | 2 | 7 |
| US Open | 4 | 4 |
| Tour Finals | 0 | 6 |
| Masters 1000 | 36 | 40 |
| ATP Titles | 92 | 97 |
FAQ
Has Djokovic beaten Nadal at the French Open?
Yes, Novak has beaten Rafa at the French Open on two occasions (2015 quarterfinals and 2021 semifinals).
How many times has Djokovic beaten Nadal?
Novak has played Rafa a total of 59 times and he currently leads their head to head 30-29. They have met each other in nine grand slam singles finals with Rafa winning five and Novak winning four.
How many times did Djokovic beat Nadal at Wimbledon?
Novak has played Rafa a total of three times at Wimbledon with Novak winning two out of the three matches. Novak’s only loss came in the semifinals of the 2007 Wimbledon Championships.
When did Djokovic and Nadal first play each other?
They first played each other in the quarterfinals of the 2006 French Open, with Rafa winning the match after Novak had to retire.
Have Djokovic and Nadal ever played each other in the Davis Cup?
Yes, they played each other in a Spain vs Serbia Davis Cup match in 2009. Rafa won the match in three sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-1.
Who has won more Grand Slam titles?
Novak (24) has won two more grand slam titles than Rafa (22).
Who has won more Masters 1000 titles?
Novak has won the most Masters 1000 titles with 40 titles to his name. Rafa is four behind with 36 Masters 1000 titles.
Is Djokovic or Nadal the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time)?
There is no easy answer to this question. You have to wait until Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal have all finished their playing careers then you can make a better judgment on who really was the GOAT. At the moment, Novak is the firm favorite to achieve this title.
Has Djokovic and Nadal ever played doubles together?
Yes, they played doubles together in the 2010 Rogers Cup. They lost to Pospisil and Raonic in the first round, losing 5-7, 6-3, 10-8. At the time they were ranked number 1 and 2 in the ATP singles ranking.
Are Nadal and Djokovic friends off the court?
There is definitely mutual respect for what they have achieved in tennis but they would not be considered close friends off the court.
Have Nadal and Djokovic ever played each other at an Olympics?
They played each other in the 2008 Beijing Olympics in the semifinals of the singles competition. Rafa won the match in three sets (6-4, 1-6, 6-4), with Rafa going on to win the Gold Medal Match while Novak went on to win the Bronze medal match.
Has Nadal or Djokovic won gold, silver, or bronze at an Olympics?
Rafa won a gold medal in singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and a gold medal in doubles at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He is one of two male tennis players (Rafa and Nicolas Massu) who have won a gold medal in both singles and doubles. Novak was a bronze medalist in singles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.