Nadal and Djokovic out for ultimate prize

It is a rivalry that has 52 chapters. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have been vying against each other for the most prestigious prizes in tennis since their first meeting in 2006.

Now the modern greats are chasing more glory, with the race to finish the season ending world No.1 culminating in Paris and London.

Both players have been awarded the accolade four times, but who will come out on top this season? Events unfolding at the Rolex Paris Masters this week will have a big say…

Rafa in need of a resurgence

Nadal has held top spot in the rankings since June 25, but the 32-year-old has bemoaned injuries at significant junctions in the season (Melbourne and New York) for hindering his campaign.

The Spaniard hasn’t competed since the US Open and as a result, his expectations in Bercy have been quelled.

“There have been too many tournaments lost, my goal has been to be back on court and healthy,” stated Nadal in Paris, a city close to his heart and the scene of 11 Roland Garros triumphs.

“I just go day by day. I am happy to be here. I am having better feelings on court. I am practicing a little bit more every day, trying to improve the positive feelings.

“This city so special for me. So that's a little bit more motivation to be here. I’ll fight to see how many matches I can win. Of course, I’d love to be No.1, but I’m just here to try my best every day.”

Djokovic back to his destructive best?

 
“I’m not surprised at all. He is so good,” declared Nadal, reflecting on Djokovic’s sublime second half to 2018 after turmoil following elbow surgery in February. “Everybody on Tour was sure he would be back at this high level.”

But is he back to peak powers?

Until the grass court season Djokovic had posted a measly 6-6 record on Tour to crash down to world No.22. In contrast, since Roland Garros Djokovic has lifted the trophy at Wimbledon, the US Open, along with consecutive Masters 1000 titles in Cincinnati and Shanghai. Simply put, Djokovic has been devastating.  

“To be honest in both US Open and Shanghai, I've played as good as ever,” claimed the 31-year-old. “When you're winning that many matches you have a lot of confidence. When you have a lot of confidence, you approach the practice sessions and the tournaments and the matches in a just completely different way.

“It was quite opposite extremes in terms of how I felt and how I played five months ago and today. So, I do think that I'm playing at my best at the moment. I always feel like I can improve, but I feel like this is a very high level.”

What is at stake in Paris

Regarding the 52-week ATP rankings, Nadal surrenders 180 points he chalked up by reaching the Paris Masters quarter-finals last year, meaning that his actual lead over Djokovic is just 35 points!

Djokovic missed the 2017 event through injury, so the Serbian has no points to defend.

It’s an intriguing platform because whichever player finishes further in Paris, they will be hailed No.1 on November 5. Should they both fall at the same hurdle, Nadal will still rule the rankings.

So who is the favourite?

Well, Djokovic has ruled in Bercy four times before (2009, 13-15), whereas Nadal has never lifted an indoor championship trophy, losing five finals in the process.

Challengers standing in their path

 
Dominic Thiem, who took Nadal to a fifth-set tie-break at Flushing Meadows last month, is projected as a quarter-final opponent for Rafa.

Saying that, the 11-time Roland Garros champion will first have to navigate past the winner of Jeremy Chardy or countryman Fernando Verdasco. Tricky to say the least.

On the other half, his French Open conqueror Marco Cecchinato could meet Djokovic in the second round, with Next Gen prodigy Stefanos Tsitsipas and Marin Cilic drawn further down the line.

Will they meet in the final? Roger Federer, in Novak’s half, will certainly want to have his say.

London the last port of call

Regardless of who takes to the helm of the rankings in Paris, the year-end No.1 accolade will be decided in London at the Nitto ATP Finals.

1,500 points await an undefeated champion at the tournament which Djokovic has ruled four times in London from 2012-15.

Should Djokovic usurp Nadal as the leader of the pack following Paris, or in London, then he will become the first player to come from outside the Top 20 and reach No.1 in the same campaign since Marat Safin rose from No.38 in 2000.

It would cap the most sensational transformation in a season, but Nadal will be fighting for every single ball in Bercy. What a setting, scene and situation for the season finale.