Rafael Nadal will meet Novak Djokovic in the final of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Sunday.
Date: January 27, 2019
Match time: 7:30 PM AEDT local time / 3:30 AM EST – New York, Montreal / 8:30 AM GMT – United Kingdom / 9:30 AM CET – Spain, France, Germany, Italy. To convert to your local time, use this website.
The two have played each other 52 times. The current head to head is 27 to 25 in favour of Djokovic.
This is the 25th Tour-level final that the pair have contested, giving them sole ownership of the Open Era record for most match-ups in Tour-level finals. This is the first Tour-level final the pair have contested since 2016 Doha, which Djokovic won in straight sets.
This is the pair’s 8th meeting in a Grand Slam final which gives them sole ownership of 2nd place on the Open Era list for most match-ups in Grand Slam finals. This is their first meeting in a Grand Slam final since 2014 Roland Garros, which Rafa won in 4 sets. They have previously contested 3 finals at the US Open, 2 finals at Roland Garros, and one final both here and at Wimbledon.
This is the pair’s 2nd meeting at the Australian Open. In their only previous meeting here, in the 2012 final, they contested the longest Australian Open final on record, with Djokovic winning 57 64 62 67(5) 75 in 5 hours 53 minutes.
Rafa is bidding to end a 7-match losing streak against Djokovic on hard courts. He has not defeated Djokovic on a hard court since the final at the 2013 US Open. This is their 26th meeting on a hard court. Djokovic leads the head-to-head on hard court 18-7 – by comparison, Rafa leads the clay court head-to-head 16-7 and they are tied 2-2 on grass.
Rafa can become the first man in the Open Era to win every Grand Slam title twice or more, while Djokovic is bidding to become the first man to win seven titles at the Australian Open.
Our champ is bidding for an 18th Grand Slam title, which would see him close the gap on Federer at the top of the all-time list for most Grand Slam men’s singles titles.
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
I understand your anxiety Alex, but like Mac I have a good feeling about Sunday. I think back to the US Open final of 2010, where Rafa’s serve was key to him beating Novak. At that time, The Guardian commented that “Nadal…..kept his unforced error count to near zero at the end, a remarkable feat as he pulverised the white line with deep, whirring forehands. Only his backhand really let him down. But he’s working on it”.
Well, Rafa’s serve has improved significantly and his backhand has become a real weapon which he’s employing more often. We’re seeing a more confident Rafa who is excited about his game right now and that’s the difference. Rafa will aim to do it to Novak before Novak does it to him. I say game, set and match Rafa!
Thanks, Lorna. I will hold my peace and just let the experience take me. Obviously sport is outcome driven, but Rafa’s already defied expectation over the past fortnight, and shown us all something which will last beyond one match. I will expect him to do himself proud on Sunday. . . the rest is in the hands of the fates.
VAMOS SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) I FORGOT TO MENTION THAT THE SF UMPIRE WAS VERY FAIR AND SEEMS TO ALWAYS BE VERY KIND AND COURTEOUS TO THE PLAYERS.
I DISAGREE WITH A COMMENT TALKING ABOUT N BEING HARDCOURT SPECIALIST….. NO SUCH THING…EACH MATCH BRINGS NEW PLAYS TO ALL PLAYERS IN MY OPINION…….TOP PLAYERS ARE SKILLED IN ALL SURFACES… ETC……..NOTHING MATTERS AT THE END OF THE DAY EXCEPT SHOWING UP SWEETHEART AS YOU ARE…..OPEN AND BRIGHT AS THE BEAUTIFUL SUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) THE ONLY COMMENT I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION REGARDING N IS FROM THE HIGHLIGHTS OF HIS MATCHES, ESPECIALLY THE SF, HE APPEARED OUT OF BREATH BY THE 2ND SET…..HE BEGAN TO BREATH HEAVILY,
LOOKED STRETCHED IN HIS LUNGS, AND RATHER SKINNY AND FRAGILE……
ENJOY EVERYTHING SWEETHEART AND NO BIG DEAL,,,,JUST ANOTHER MATCH……ENJOY LOTS OF FUN AND YOUR FEISTY RAFA NADAL PRECIOUS COURT ATTITUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) HAVE FUN SWEETHEART GLIDING AND SLIDING AND ENJOYING EACH POINT! : ) THAT ISTHE MOST IMORTANT THING…….VAMOS SWEETHEART ……..AND JUST PLAYING YOUR POINT BY POINT GENIUS TENNIS MINGLED WITH YOUR EXQUISITE FORCE AND DRIVE AND PASSION…….ALL THAT WILL BE PLENTY GOOD ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WI……..WI…….WI…….& CI…………CI………CI……..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WE ALL HAVE OPIONIONS BUT YOURS IS THE MOST RELEVANT AND MOST IMPORTANT………PAY ZERO ATTENTION TO ANYTHING ELSE AND KEEP TO YOUR INSTINCTS AND NATURAL POWER AND BLESSED BRILLIANT ABILITY ……..HAVE A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND AND KEEP CELBRATING WITH YOUR LOVED ONES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX BY THE WAY, OUR SON NATANEL IS AWAY IN COLLEGE AND HE KEEPS CLOSE UPDATES OF YOUR BEAUTIFUL TENNIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) HE WAS THRILLED YOU WON THE SF AND ESPECIALLY, THAT YOU BAGELED HIM! : ) XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX
Hola people,
I need to admit I’ve been a coward during this Aus Open. Not wanting to be disappointed by a repeat injury occurrence, I’ve avoided checking any Rafa matches until the final score, only watching them on catch-up. I was *that* anxious about this tournament.
But this weekend, I don’t think I can be such a weed again. Whoever wins this final, it could be sport elevated to a level we’re lucky to see in our lifetimes. I’d like to go with the flow and enjoy the tennis whatever the outcome. I think I’ll need to accept the stress levels and be there to experience it live. I hope we can come out of that match feeling that both men won, with tennis they displayed.
I am trying to be objective, so my hopes don’t get dashed. I don’t love Novak, but I do respect him. Despite Rafa being the better all-round player, Novak is a hard court specialist. What Rafa’s trying to do here could be compared to an outsider’s Roland Garros challenge. 6/6 finals for Novak is a lot of self-assurance. He won’t be intimidated by Rafa – though he may be surprised by him. Honestly, I don’t think Rafa’s new serving is going to trouble Novak. The only thing which will bear down on Novak is what the serve sets up: Rafa’s all-court game.
So, it’s a big ask. The main thing for me is the joy we’ve had from Rafa this fortnight. It’s been incredible to see what his off-season work has unleashed. Not only a whole new dimension to his play, but a belief in himself, and a sense of hope for the future. Having him written off at the start of the tournament, it’s been great to hear the journalists give him the recognition he deserves. I feel the media can be a bit “Rafa-blind” sometimes. Not anymore.
Welcome back Alex:) I know what you mean about wanting to avoid that disappointment in case something bad happened. It can eat at your soul! Well, only one more match to go!
I’m now going to watch the Women’s final. Rooting for Osaka:)
Good day everyone!
I’m so nervous about this! Surely it ought to be Rafa’s turn: he’s had very little luck with Aussie Open finals.
All the best of lucks Rafa is your time to shine vamosssssss champ yours fans love your and soport too ,💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪💪🎾🎾🎾🎾🎾👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍😘❤️😘❤️😘❤️🇺🇸🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆
I certainly agree with Jeffrey. Keeping Djokovic off balance will make Rafa’s job much easier. Rafa will show him he’s an all-surface winner.
RAFA ROCKS
All the best Rafa! Go for it. We believe in you. Vamos💪💪💪
Rafa it’s a new year and a new Journey. You have been playing Amazingly well from coming back from an injury and all your fans are so delighted in your recovery and you are just so powerful and controlled on court. I am confident you will win on Sunday against Nole. Remember he is good but not as good as you are and the only reason he is rated 1 is because of your injury and that is a fact. I know you don’t care about the #1 spot you just want to enjoy playing and improving in your game; but your fans want to see you beat him and become 1 in the world again. I’m sending you my best of Luck for Sunday have fun,enjoy,and if you can if there is anyway to improve do that to. Stay Health and being a #1 Sportsman and being a Humble person as you are.
your #1 fan
Kathie
I am sure you are going to win!!!!
Vamooooooos!!!!!!!! For #18!!!!!!!!
Vamos, RAFA…You didn’t come this far to just come this far, and you’ve been more tested this tournament than Nole, Plus you need a second AO,,
I don’t think there’s going to be a loser in this final, personally. Of course somebody’s going to win, but the other person is it not going to Lowe’s, and the fan certainly aren’t either.
I’m going with RAFA… But it’s going to go down to one Moment that makes the difference. I hope I’m right, because it surely nice to see Rafa reach the level he has become again, And perhaps even better than what I’ve seen this tournament! But not enough can be said about Nole either, He is number one for a reason, and those 2 bring out the best in each other
Small reminder; Djokovicz is no.1 because Rafa got injured!!!
Wamos Rafa, you are the best.
Big reminder. Djokovic is No. 1 because he beat del Potro in the US Open final; he also won Wimbledon, the only ATP player to win two slams in 2018. He also gained points in other tournaments he entered. And I think he didn’t have a lot of points to defend, which may have helped.
RAFA ROCKS THE AO
Sunday will be epic. Rafael Nadal is on a singular quest-all the best. You have earned every accolade in this return from injury. Tsitsipas was dazed. You looked so focussed. Now, Novak. He is a great player, but sometimes his wild eyed shirt ripping, plus horrible comments from his supporters towards other players are just cringeworthy. So, Rafael, we send you all of our support. You have been here before-vamos💪🤛🤛🍀👊🏻🏆❤️
Rooting harder than ever for a win on Sunday. If the 2017 final was key for sheer GOAT status, Sunday’s match is just as important: beating Nole in what would be the decisive upward push for the Nadal legacy: a double career grand slam. Vamos Rafa!
Good luck Rafa. Believe in you. You can do it. We are all with you. Go for it. Vamos Rafa <3
VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WI……..WI……..WI……..AND CI……..CI …..CI……. IT IS GOING TO BE A BEAUTIFUL MATCH FOR YOU SWEETHEART !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE MAGICAL SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR ABILITY AND CREATIVITY AND FITNESS ARE ALL EXTRODINARY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) SO EXCITING TO WITNESS YOUR GREATNESS WITH EACH MOVE….EACH RETURN…..EACH POINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) SEEING YOU GLIDING AND SLIDING AND REACHING AND SERVING AND WITH SUCH SPEED COURT COVERAGE IS MAGNIFICENT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) THE WAY YOU PLAY IS ORIGINAL AND ARTISTIC AND BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOU ARE THE ULTIMATE TENNIS ARTIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) SO MUC PASSSION AND STRENGTH AND QUICKNESS WITH EACH POINT………….SO INCREDIBELY SATISFYING TO WATCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) RAFA NADAL YOU ARE A BOUNTIFUL TENNIS BLESSING TO US FANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) EVER EXPENDING AND IMPROVING AND COMING UP WITH SUCH GLORIOIS RETURNS AND OVER ALL MAGIC………..IT IS SO EASY TO LOVE YOU AND ADORE YOUR TENNIS AND CHEER YOU ON BECAUSE YOU CREAT SO MUCH BEAUTY OUT THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WHEN I WATCHED HIGHLIGHTS OF OTHER MATCHES THE DIFFERENCE IN SUBSTANCE, CREATIVITY AND PASSION IS EVIDENT …….NO ONE PRODUCES SUCH CLASSY TENNIS AND SUCH LOVE FOR EACH POINT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : )
WE WILL ENJOY EACH POINT WITH YOU WATCHING IT LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) MAKES LIFE INTERESTING TO EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE WAKE UP BEFORE DAWN TO WITNESS YOUR EXCITING MATCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) SIPPING COFFEE AND ENJOYING CHEERING YOU ON LIVE IS A TREAT….FEELS VERY SPECIAL AND INVIGORATING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) I ALWAYS WORK OUT AND KEEP FIT AS A BYPRODUCT OF WATCHING YOU IN ACTION. YOUR SRENGTH AND VIGOR IS ENORMOUSELY INSPIRING AND SO WE ARE ALL WINNERS FOR YOUR BEAUTIFUL, HARD WORK AND DICIPLIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) IT IS WORTHWHILE AND LOTS OF FUN TO WAKE UP AT ODD HOURS OF THE NIGHT TO WITNESS YOUR PRECIOUS POINT BY POINT PASSION AND DRIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) HAVE LOTS OF UN SWEETHEART AND ENJOY YOUR PRECIOUS EFFORTS AND PREPARATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) WAHT IS UNIQUE ABOUT YOU DEAR RAFA IS THAT YOU ARE SUCH A POWER HOUSE WITH FORCE AND HUGE MASSIVE DRIVE, GORGEOUS AND PHYSICALLY IMPRESSIVE, AND AT THE SAME TIME YOU FIND TIME TO BE A GENUINE, DECENT, KIND AND GENTLY CONSIDERATE HUMAN BEING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) YOUR PRECIOUS SPANISH BACKGROUND AND YOUR BELOVED FAMILY AND MANY LOYAL FRIENDS HAS SHOWERED YOU WITH SOLID, NURTUERING AND LOVE AND IT RESPECTFULLY SHOWS IN YOUR EVERY STEP, ON AND OFF THE COURT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VERY VERY HAPPY FOR YOU SWEETHEART AND YOUR MAGICAL, BEAUTIFUL TENNIS AND WE DEEPLTY APPRECIATE YOUR ADORABLE KIND PRESENCE IN ALL THE VIDEOS AND INTERVIEWS AND ALL SOCIAL MEDIA HAS TO OFFER COVERING YOUR TENNIS BRILLIANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) : ) YOU HAVE SUCH A BRILLIANT MIND AND A HIGHLY DEVELOPED BUSINESS SENSE AND YOUR LONGIVITY AND STRIDE ARE ALL THERE…….AS BEAUITFUL FRUITS OF YOUR LABOR AND LOVE FOR TENNIS AND SPORT AND PEOPLE. IT IS LOVELY TO SEE HOW YOUR GLOBAL APPEAL KEEPS EXPENDING AND YOUR POPULARITY AND STATUS IS INTERNATIONAL ACROSS ALL AGE GROUPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) I PARTICULARLY LOVE HOW OTHER WORLD ATHELITS AND WORLD SPORT STARS FIND SUCH COMMRADERY AND CLOSNESS TO YOU AND THAT LOYALTY AMONGST PEOPLE II EVERYTHING IN LIFE. THAT IS VERY SPECIAL DEAR RAFA NADAL AND WE LOVE YOU SWEETHEART AND SENDING LOTS OF LOVE & HAPPINESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) GO RAFA GO & VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) VAMOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) KEEP SMI;ING SWEETHEART!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! : ) . XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXHAVE A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND! : )
Good luck Rafa, you can do it, I’ll be glued to the TV ❤️xx
Wamos Rafa, you are the best
Rafa -as you said in your last news conference after your victory over Stephanos , the serve is the key to your improved play ! I concur 100% and know that you can prevail over the Nole if you keep your service game at this high level . Also , it will be important to keep Dvokovitch off balance by moving him all over the court by controlling long baseline rallies . Vamos Rafa and take home this monumental trophy and submit the Djoker.
All the best of luck to you sweet Rafa 🍀🤗❤️ You can do it champ – VAMOOS! 🎾💪🏼😍
Good luck champ!!
I just have a wonderful feeling about Sunday! Rafa looks so calm and collected, like he’s at peace with life right now.
Rafa 2019 can and will soak up whatever the Djoker throws at him. Go for the win Rafa!!
Yes Mac. You said it. I have the same feeling. I see a different Rafa who is playing and talking with more confidence.