It’s going to be strange not facing Rafael Nadal at the Italian Open finals – Novak Djokovic

The World number one Tennis player Novak Djokovic has admitted that it would be strange as he would not face Rafael Nadal at the Italian Open finals. Nadal was knocked in straight sets in the quarterfinals contest by young Argentine Diego Schwartzman by 6-2, 7-5. Novak feels Nadal’s absence from the finals of any clay court tournament makes a huge difference.

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have locked horns on 24 occasions on clay, in the former has won 17 matches whereas the latter has won seven games.

“Of course it makes a difference playing or not playing Nadal in the finals,” said the 17-time Grand slam champion.

Djokovic will be aiming for his fifth title at the Italian Open and he will take on Diego Schwartzman who had defeated Nadal in the quarterfinals.

Meanwhile, Nadal has won the Italian Open on nine occasions. It is always a great contest when the best in the business take on each other.

Nadal and Djokovic have met 55 times in the Serbian has won 29 matches whereas the Spainiard has won 26 games. However, Nadal holds his wood on Djokovic in the Grand slam finals as he has won nine finals whereas Djokovic has claimed six out of the total 15 matches.

“Most of the finals that I reached in the big events on clay I played against Rafa, so it’s going to be strange not facing him. But I won’t underestimate whoever I play tomorrow,” said Djokovic in the post-match presentation after defeating Norwegian counterpart Casper Ruud in straight sets 7-5 and 6-3 to reach the finals of the Italian Open 2020.

The final of the Italian Open will be played on 21st September and it is going to be a tough job for Diego Schwartzman to stop Novak Djokovic.