Matches between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have redefined tennis greatness in the last decade. At the start of the 2012 season, their rivalry began to blossom as both players arrived at the Australian Open with high expectations and red-hot favorites for the crown. In this article, we revisit their 2012 epic at Melbourne Park, which as of 2022, stands as the longest Grand Slam final in tennis history clocking an astonishing five hours and 53 minutes!
Djokovic, on the backdrop of a barnstorming year in 2011, was looking to dominate Nadal once again. While the Spaniard spent the off-season comprehending the perfect response to change the tide in what appeared to signal a change of the guard in men’s tennis.
We expected a classic but we got the extraordinary as Djokovic and Nadal spent every kilojoule in what is inarguably one of the greatest tennis matches of all time.
Djokovic, Nadal Pitted in Opposite Sections of Draw
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal entered the 2012 Australian Open ranked No. 1 and 2 in the rankings. So it was consequential that the pair of them would only cross paths in the men’s final at Melbourne Park.
Djokovic had created an aura of invincibility in the past 12 months prior to this titanic clash that ensued.
He collected three of the four Grand Slams on offer in 2011 and finished that year with an astounding 10-1 record against his two biggest rivals namely Nadal and Roger Federer.
More impressively he never lost a match from the start of the season until that year’s French Open, building a historic 41-match winning streak.
Djokovic defeated Nadal six times in 2011 – all in finals – including at Wimbledon and US Open. It felt as if Nadal was fighting a losing battle every time they took to the court.
The Serbian star had wrestled control of their rivalry for the first time and Nadal was left with plenty to ponder in the pre-match build-up.
Nadal had fresher legs coming into the match after knocking out his old nemesis Roger Federer in straight sets in his semifinal.
Djokovic, meanwhile, played in a bruising and draining last-four encounter against Andy Murray in a match that lasted 10 minutes shy of five hours.
Would Djokovic have the energy to withstand one last knock-out fight against Nadal if the match went down the stretch? Surprisingly, many doubted.
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Nadal Takes the First Set But Djokovic Proves his Mettle
A few months back prior to this clash Djokovic tore Nadal to shreds at the US Open. But a defiant Nadal produced a gallant effort to stay on his toes against his Serbian opponent as he sat deep and powered his groundstrokes with more zeal and zest.
One punishing rally after another had left everyone on the edge of their seat. Nadal secured the first break at 3-2, but relinquished it soon after.
However, Djokovic was extremely passive in the 11th game of the first set and was broken again. Nadal, this time, made no mistake in serving it out for a one-set lead.
At the start of the match, Nadal was staring meekly at the prospect of losing his third consecutive Grand Slam final – an unwanted record in the offing. But taking that first set put a huge cross on his terrible record against Djokovic in 2011.
The Serbian star shook off the disappointment of dropping an incredible first set that lasted an hour and 20 minutes. And if there were doubts about Djokovic being heavy-legged particularly after playing in a punishing semifinal against Murray, he quelled them with aplomb.
For the first time, almost as if by osmosis, it was Djokovic who planted a seed of doubt in Nadal’s head. He began to loosen up and went for his shots with a lot more conviction.
Nadal, who was playing defense from the baseline, was seeing bullets fly past him as Djokovic produced two near-identical flawless sets to turn the match on its head.
With the lead, Djokovic was now in the ascendancy and the writing appeared to be on the wall. But Nadal’s bravery came to the fore as he pinched the fourth set in a tiebreak.
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Djokovic Fights Back From the Brink
In the fifth set, with the clock ticking over five hours, Djokovic and Nadal continued to trade hellfire from the baseline. Nadal stole the first break of the deciding set to move within two games to glory. But he failed to consolidate from 30-15 on serve. He was left to rue his missed opportunity as Djokovic roared back.
In one astonishing rally, like many of them during the night, both players took the cover off the ball at 4-4, in the opening point of the ninth game. Djokovic would fire his backhand long and hit the deck. That drew a standing ovation from the crowd and a chorus of ‘’unbelievable’’ from match commentators.
Another error-strewn game by Nadal at 5-5 gave Djokovic the lead in the fifth set for the first time. But it wasn’t all plain sailing for the Serb when he served for the championship, needing to save break points before planting the winning forehand.
Nadal was left to digest a very tough loss. He was a break up in the decider, but on the balance of play Djokovic just about deserved the win. He created double-digit break point chances, had more winners than Nadal, and was unforgiving when in the ascendancy.
What Happened Next?
In the aftermath, the trophy presentation was an iconic moment as the players shared the podium looking spent. Chairs would be assembled, much to the crowd’s appreciation, as Nadal and Djokovic took their seats.
Nadal called it his toughest loss but said it was the best tennis he has ever played. Djokovic echoed those sentiments and was sentimental that there were not two winners during the night.
Djokovic had now sat on the mountain of omnipotence having conquered his great rival in another gripping final and holding onto his No. 1 ranking.
For Nadal, it was back to the drawing board. He did manage to halt Djokovic’s charge, first in Monte Carlo and Rome, and then more importantly at the French Open in their chaotic, rain-interrupted match.