To celebrate Rafael Nadal reaching 1000 ATP Tour-level matches, Ahmed Rizvi looks back at the Spaniard's five best performances from his illustrious career. To move on to the next slide, click the red arrow in the bottom right corner of the image, or if using a mobile device, simply swipe the image.
2008 Wimbledon final v Roger Federer
This final — duel No 18 in the Nadal-Federer rivalry — is often referred to as one of the greatest games in the sport’s history. Federer had lost three consecutive Roland Garros finals to Nadal, but the grass courts of the All England Club were his domain. The Swiss had won five consecutive titles, defeating the Spaniard in the last two finals. But Nadal was not to be denied a third time — he triumphed 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7 after four hours and 48 minutes of tennis to become the first man since Bjorn Borg in 1980 to win the French-Wimbledon double in the same year.
2009 Australian Open final v Federer
Facing off for the first time at the Australian Open — and the first time since their Wimbledon final — Nadal and Federer served up another five-set epic, which the Spaniard edged 7-5, 3-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-2. Nadal’s win stopped Federer from equalling Pete Sampras’ then record of 14 grand slam titles and, incredibly, he clinched that four hour, 19 minute final after defeating Fernando Verdasco in a five hour, 14 minute marathon in the semi-finals. The sight of Nadal consoling a tearful Federer is an enduring image from that match.
2009 Madrid Open Semi-final v Novak Djokovic
A duel that lasted four hours and three minutes, this Madrid semi-final is often remembered for the high level of tennis from both Nadal and Djokovic, especially in the third set tie-break when the then world No 1, leading Djokovic 13-4 in their head-to-head at the time, prevailed on his third match point, for a 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 win.
2010 US Open final v Djokovic
Having defeated Federer in the semis, Djokovic had come into the match high on confidence, especially since he had saved two match points in that five-set thriller. The Serb had also won his last three matches against Nadal since Madrid. But Nadal came into the match looking for a career grand slam and he was not to be denied, winning 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 to become the seventh player to win each of the four grand slams.
2017 Australian Open final v Federer
Given their injuries and age, not even the most optimistic of fans would have dreamt of another Nadal-Federer grand slam final. Nadal’s last grand slam final was the 2014 French Open, while Federer had not won a major since 2012 Wimbledon. But they proved their doubters wrong with episode No 35 of their fabled rivalry. Federer’s last win over Nadal in a grand slam had come in the 2007 Wimbledon final. He brought that drought to an end with a memorable 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 win. But after two years of struggle, reaching the final and coming so close to winning was a real accomplishment by the Spaniard.
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