The duel with Djokovic

"It's very difficult to beat him the way he is playing at the moment. But no one is invincible"

Novak Djokovic after his third defeat at Roland-Garros against Rafael Nadal in 2008. He will need three more before finally winning in the quarter-finals in 2015.

Nadal "is definitely the best in history on this surface and one of the best players to have played this sport."

Djokovic after a new defeat against Nadal at Roland-Garros, in the final in 2012.

"If you want to beat Rafa on his court, you have to play your best tennis. Tonight was my best tennis (...) It was a privilege to be on the court with Rafa for this incredible match".

Djokovic, June 11, 2021 after his victory in the semi-final at Roland-Garros.

"Our rivalry has allowed us both to push our limits, we make each other better."

Novak Djokovic after his victory at the Masters in November 2013.

Federal

"We are going to see him a lot in the future. For me it was a huge game because I know what a great player Rafa will be one day."

Roger Federer, in 2005, after the Miami Masters 1000 final.

"Rafael is such a fantastic player that every time I win a Grand Slam I say to myself: it's always taken before he wins them all"

Rafael Nadal congratulated by Roger Federer after their epic final at Wimbledon, July 2008 RYAN PIERSE POOL/AFP/Archives

Federer, after winning the Wimbledon final in 2006. Two years later, Nadal won after one of the greatest matches in history, for his first Grand Slam victory outside of Roland-Garros.

"What a match! To my friend and great rival Rafael Nadal, I congratulate you from the bottom of my heart."

Congratulatory message from Roger Federer when the Spaniard wins the Australian Open in 2022. This success is the Spaniard's 21st title, one more than Federer and Djokovic.

The look

"It's not the first time he's shown himself to be 100 per cent capable of coming back, and physically ready, days after being injured and barely able to walk, he's done it many times in his career."

Djokovic, after his defeat in the quarter-finals of Roland-Garros 2022.

Rafael Nadal winner of Novak Djokovic at Roland-Garros, June 1, 2022 Christophe ARCHAMBAULT AFP / Archives

"I thought I could beat him at times, but +Rafa+ has a thousand lives"

Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz (19th in the world) after his semi-final of the Indian Wells Masters 1000 in 2022.

Unbeatable.. or almost

"Nadal is the best player in the world on clay (...) A formidable fighter, who does not give up."

Argentinian Guillermo Coria, in 2005, a few weeks before the Spaniard's first Grand Slam victory.

"Winning this title against +Rafa+ is the icing on the cake. It's just crazy."

American Taylor Fritz after winning the Indian Wells Masters 1000, beating Nadal in the 2022 final.

Rafael Nadal congratulates Taylor Fritz his winner to general surprise in Indian Wells, March 20, 2022 in California CLIVE BRUNSKILL Getty/AFP/Archives

"To beat him, I won't have to be good, I'll have to be monstrous"

Richard Gasquet, at the 2013 US Open. Before being beaten in three sets.

"He will win Roland Garros 40 years in a row. At 65, he will continue to win Roland Garros"

The Spaniard Nicolas Almagro in the middle of the quarter-finals, lost by registering only three games in 2008 in Paris against the Mallorcan

"It's the biggest win of my career, an unforgettable moment. I'll remember it for the rest of my life. It's a dream come true"

Robin Söderling after becoming the first to beat Nadal on clay at Roland-Garros, May 31, 2009

The uncle

"Until he was 17, I decided everything. Then came Carlos Costa (ex-world No.10 and 8th runner-up at Roland-Garros) as manager. His father also got closer, everyone with their own opinions. And the truth is that every year I decide a little less, until the day when I no longer decide anything"

Toni Nadal at the Italian site tennisitaliano.it in 2017

Toni Nadal follows his nephew Rafa's match at the US Open on August 31, 2017 at Flushing Meadows Richard HEATHCOTE Getty/AFP/Archives

"My nephew is my nephew. I told Felix that when he asked me to train him. I want Rafael to win. If he were to lose, it would be less painful because it would mean that the player with whom I work, would win. But I don't want to deceive anyone. I'm Rafael's uncle and he's more than a distant nephew. If Felix played against my son, I wouldn't want to see him win. It's the same".

Toni Nadal in May 2022 before the match at Roland-Garros against Rafael Nadal by his new protege, the Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime.

© 2022 AFP