After the one-sided 2020 final in favor of Nadal (6-0, 6-2, 7-5) and the spectacular 2021 semi-final in the form of revenge for Djokovic (3-6, 6-3, 7- 6 (7/4), 6-2), this third duel in three editions of Roland-Garros looks like a beautiful match between the two giants.

Serbian Novak Djokovic, in the net against Spaniard Rafael Nadal, in their semi-final, June 11, 2021 at Roland-Garros MARTIN BUREAU AFP / Archives

If we trust the statistics, the 35-year-old Serbian, holder of the trophy, has a slight overall advantage (30-28 on all surfaces and all competitions combined), but the Spaniard, 36 years old on Friday, leads so much on clay (18 -8), his beloved surface, than in Grand Slam (10-7) and at Roland-Garros (7-2).

Nevertheless the situation is delicate for "Rafa", far from that of his great years on ocher, and who affirms that he will not start favorite Tuesday evening.

The Spaniard Rafael Nadal against the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, in the round of 16 of the Roland-Garros tournament, May 29, 2022 Thomas SAMSON AFP

"With 2015 (7-5, 6-3, 6-1 defeat in the quarters, editor's note), these are perhaps the two times when Djokovic is the most clear favorite when I face him here. All the other times, either I was rather favorite, or it was 50-50", compares Nadal.

"There, with our respective dynamics of the last few months, he arrives in a better situation," he continues.

Of course, Roland-Garros is the Mallorcan champion's second home.

He has triumphed there thirteen times since 2005, lost just three times in 112 matches, and only been pushed to a fifth set three times.

The joy of the Spaniard Rafael Nadal, after beating the Serbian Novak Djokovic, in the final of the Roland-Garros tournament, on October 11, 2020, and winning his 13th title in Paris Anne-Christine POUJOULAT AFP / Archives

"Trying With All My Might"

But Nadal arrived in Paris on a most precarious dynamic.

In question: a stress fracture in the ribs which occurred two months before Roland-Garros, which stopped his formidable momentum at the start of the season (21st Grand Slam in Australia and twenty first matches won), and the awakening of his chronic foot pain. left mid-May.

"I haven't played this kind of game in the last three months, it's going to be a big challenge," he admits.

Especially since, 48 hours before finding Djokovic, he scrapped for nearly four and a half hours against Félix Auger-Aliassime (9th).

"I don't know if I'm going to be able to or not, I don't have enough background to feel if I have the background to play at the level I need to beat someone like Novak, but I I will try with all my might", promises the Spaniard.

From his marathon match against "FAA", Nadal retains in particular a positive element: having "been able to make the difference at the most critical moment by being much more aggressive and going up to the net".

The Spaniard Rafael Nadal volleys against the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, in the round of 16 of the Roland-Garros tournament, May 29, 2022 Thomas SAMSON AFP

Inevitably, the question arises of his physical condition.

"I don't think I will be physically affected after this match, muscularly it's fine, in terms of fatigue too. Afterwards, what can happen below, we don't know", notes the current world No.5 referring to his left foot, plagued by necrosis of the scaphoid bone (Muller-Weiss syndrome) for more than fifteen years.

Djokovic is "ready"

Conversely, everything has been better for Djokovic for a few weeks.

With the return of the circuit to Europe, the world No.1 has become himself again, after a first quarter started by his incredible expulsion from Australia and almost stopped, for lack of a vaccine against Covid-19.

"I'm happy with how I feel, with my shot. I'm ready", says "Nole", on a series of nine matches won in a row, with his title in Rome - his first for six months - and his first four rounds cleared in three sets in Paris.

Serbian Novak Djokovic against Argentinian Diego Schwartzman, in the round of 16 of the Roland-Garros tournament, May 29, 2022 JULIEN DE ROSA AFP

In total, Djokovic spent just over eight hours on the courts of Porte d'Auteuil and only let thirty games slip by.

"I'm happy not to have spent too much time on the courts, knowing that playing it at Roland-Garros is always a physical fight, in addition to everything else," said the Serb.

"It's a huge challenge. Probably the biggest that can exist here."

Serbian Novak Djokovic, after his victory over Argentinian Diego Schwartzman, in the round of 16 of the Roland-Garros tournament, May 29, 2022 JULIEN DE ROSA AFP

Because even if Nadal is no longer unbreakable as in his heyday, his two feet are still firmly rooted in his beloved land.

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