2018 ATP rivalries to look forward to: No. 2

By Niko Vercelletto Dec 01, 2017
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2018 ATP rivalries to look forward to: No. 2

The history between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will continue

ByNiko Vercelletto

Published Dec 01, 2017

With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal dominating the ATP circuit, and most of the top-contenders ending their seasons early, 2018 is primed to produce some electric battles between rivals, both new and storied. Baseline will countdown the most anticipated rivalries of the new year.

See No. 3 here.

2

Head-to-Head record: Djokovic leads 26-24

The rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is one of the most prolific of the Open Era. It doesn't have the same grandeur as the Nadal vs. Roger Federer rivalry, but Nadal playing against Djokovic has produced some of the highest-regarded matches ever, such as the 2012 Australian Open final.

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The 2017 season wasn't a great season for Djokovic, and his one match against the Spaniard was a 6-3, 6-4 loss in the Madrid semifinals.

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With Nadal's rise to world No. 1, and Djokovic likely to be revitalized from his long break, 2018 is poised to bring the two back together in spectacular fashion.