While it is the new year, new decade and new tennis season, it is now a rivalry of old, and a special one that. Two of the greatest all-time tennis players Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic meet in the semi-finals of the first major of the decade on Thursday, in Melbourne. This is the 50th chapter of this gloried rivalry. Although a familiar contest, the novelty of the rivalry remains timeless.
It is a rivalry that dates back to the days of ‘established’ Federer and the ‘upcoming’ Djokovic. While Federer led the head-to-head 13-6 in 2011, Djokovic has won 20 of their last 30 meetings and now has a 26-23 all-time head-to-head.
Although Federer has not beaten Djokovic in a major since Wimbledon 2012, and his win against the Serb last November at the Tour Finals in London broke a four-year losing streak, their meetings remain intense, the competition fierce and they undoubtedly bring out the best in each other.
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Interestingly, they have in some ways transitioned roles during the course of this matchup that spans a decade and a half.
During the mid-late 2000s, it was a face-off between the clinical and routine Roger Federer, who was the favorite every time he stepped on a court except Roland Garros against Rafa Nadal.
On the other hand, Djokovic was the ‘street-fighter’ with his ‘never say die’ attitude. The US Open semi-finals of 2010 and 2011 with Federer up match points each time, only to see Djokovic save them and win the contest are prime examples here.
The 2000s witnessed a mighty clash between Federer and Nadal (none more iconic than their 2008 Wimbledon final) for the number one spot in the world, with Djokovic a reliable and consistent number three. Grand Slam draws would almost assure that both would make the final four and then the Swiss was probably the opponent standing between Djokovic and a place in the final.
More often than not, expectedly, Federer would prevail. Undoubtedly, the Swiss was the player of the decade in the 2000s.
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The 2010s was a decade of transition and reversal of roles. With time, experience and immense improvement in his game and fitness levels, Djokovic transitioned into the clinical one, amassing major titles like Federer did in the 2000s. Winning three majors a season in years like 2011 and 2015 made Djokovic the favorite every time he walked onto a court, again except on Roland Gaross against Rafa Nadal.
Accumulating ATP Year-End Finals titles and weeks as number one were also traits similar to that of Federer in the prior decade. The Serb was unanimously the player of the decade in the 2010s.
Interestingly, when Djokovic has looked like the ominous favorite, it has been Federer who has been the aging fighter and upset the apple-cart. 2011 French Open and 2012 Wimbledon semi-final wins are prime examples of this phenomenon.
Once again, against all odds, Federer came to within one points of clinching the 2019 Wimbledon final after Djokovic looked comfortably placed up two sets to one. This was similarly witnessed in the 2014 Wimbledon final where Federer grabbed the fourth set and took the match into a decider.
As we reach the final four stage of the first major of the year, the narrative is somewhat similar. Djokovic has been clinical in execution and made the semi-finals without much ado, while his 38-year-old rival has already won two five setters from the jaws of defeat.
While everything points towards Djokovic as a clear favorite on Thursday, and for the title, he is up against a man who gets better as he ages and has the desire and perseverance seldom seen in any sport, let alone on a tennis court.
For the sake of the sport, and this gloried rivalry, may the tennis world be subject to another enthralling encounter between two of the finest athletes the game has seen.
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