Nadal Focuses On Mental Strength Ahead Of Djokovic Rematch

© Getty ImagesRafael Nadal looks to reverse an 0-5 record against Novak Djokovic this season.

One year ago, Rafael Nadal improved to a perfect 5-0 record against Novak Djokovic in championship matches when he defeated his Serbian rival at the US Open to complete the career Grand Slam.

The situation will be reversed when the pair face off in a Monday rematch at Flushing Meadows, with World No. 1 Djokovic holding the edge over the Spaniard following victories in all five of their final clashes this season. No other player has ever beaten Nadal in five consecutive matches. 

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“It's an advantage for him. He’s obviously the favourite for the final,” acknowledged Nadal. “I know I have to do something better than the other matches to try to change the situation, and that’s what I’m going to try.

“I have to play my game. I’ve beaten him in the past playing my game. The thing is playing my game very well. I need to be strong mentally all the time, fight every ball, believe in the victory in every moment. That’s something that for moments this year I didn’t do.”

While Nadal maintains a 16-12 lead in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head, Djokovic has won eight of their past 10 meetings and holds a 9-5 advantage in matches contested on hard courts. This season, his victories over Nadal have come on hard courts in Indian Wells and Miami, on clay in Rome and Madrid, and most recently on grass at Wimbledon.

“I know that I have a game that is good enough to win against him. I proved that this year in three different surfaces, so I believe that I have a good chance,” said Djokovic. “I need to go out on the court believing I can win.”

Nadal, at 25 years and 100 days of age, is looking to become the second-youngest man to win 11 Grand Slam singles titles behind Bjorn Borg and the eighth player in the Open Era to successfully defend the US Open title.

Despite his perfect record against Nadal this season, Djokovic admitted it would be a tall task to dethrone the reigning champion. “We’re talking about a player who has won 10 majors already in his career and he’s only 25. He’s defending his title.

“I think last year in 2010 throughout the whole tournament and in the final I never seen him serve better than that tournament. So I think it depends on my serve and his serve, as well. But it’s gonna be a tough match.”

Nadal lost serve just twice entering the 2010 final, but has been broken 13 times this year. Djokovic’s numbers are slightly better; he’s dropped serve 12 times, and has won 86 per cent of his service games to Nadal’s 84 per cent.*

This will be the first No. 1-2 ranked final at the US Open since 1995, when No. 2 Pete Sampras defeated No. 1 Andre Agassi. This is also the first US Open final featuring the same players in back-to-back years since 1987-88; Ivan Lendl won the title in 1987 and Mats Wilander avenged the loss the following year.

*courtesy of Leo Levin of Information & Displays Systems (I.D.S.)

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