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French Open 2022: Nadal, Djokovic - thoughts on number 59

What a night, what a match, what a winner. The quarterfinals between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at the French Open 2022 was the highlight of the tennis year so far.

by Jens Huiber
last edit: Jun 01, 2022, 07:45 am

Wimbledon Herren

Wimbledon Herren

Wimbledon Herren

By Jens Huiber from Roland Garros

When the nights are long and almost become day again, quite a lot of different impressions accumulate. A random overview of an unforgettable evening in Roland Garros.

Regardless of who was met at the facility before the match, the prediction for the evening was: Nadal could possibly win a set. The match certainly not ….
Was it the first time ever at Roland Garros that Rafael Nadal didn't start the race as a favourite?
Cold or not: With the very first game, Nadal and Djokovic brought the audience and themselves up to temperature.
The respect between the two is enormous. And also vigilance. No energy is wasted on sideshows. Not quarreled (ok: Djokovic was not happy with his backhand on the first set ball in the fourth). Very rarely checked an imprint.
Where does the speed on Djokovic's serves come from? This is a very economical, unspectacular movement. With amazing effect. Also in the evening with slow balls.
Rafael Nadal isn't just loved by the fans at Roland Garros. He is idolized. A volume meter is installed on the front side at the top under the cabins for the TV reporters. With Nadal points, it regularly exceeds 100 decibels.
It's primarily young men around the same age as Nadal (just not in the same physical condition) that make the most noise when it comes to the matador's points. And a group of fans dressed in white who seem to have bought tickets for every night session. And came with trumpets.
Is Ion Tiriac the biggest tennis fan with the best seat ever?
The fact that Djokovic equalized to make it 3: 3 in the second set after an incredible back and forth didn't turn the whole match around: also proof of how mentally strong Nadal is.
Referee Damien Dumusois warns Nadal early for time wasting. And then simply announces the scores a little later.
Rafa, as always, has four towels draped on the side ties. Yes: "draped". After use, the towels are folded again and neatly put back.
Once again, Djokovic offers his opponents something out of nowhere in very big matches. That was the case at the Olympics against Alexander Zverev and at the US Open against Daniil Medvedev. And this time in the fourth set, where Djokovic was actually the fitter player.
Journalists are only human. And tennis fans. The press seats are occupied from the first point. But you can also watch this match standing up with a look through two photographers.

#IMG2#

Please no discussions about the best-of-five format. This is what makes tennis so special.
The match started in May and ended in June. Which wasn't all that surprising in the end.
Whatever the reason for Nadal wearing a cap at his press conferences, it somehow makes him smaller. What is good. Otherwise his charisma would blow up the press room.
Size even after the match. Djokovic: "I lost to a better player today." Nadal: "I haven't won anything yet. That was only a quarter-final.” But what a quarter-final!

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