This is what Djokovic and Nadal looked like during their first match played at French Open 18 years ago

Photo: JACK GUEZ / AFP / Profimedia, Tanjug / AP

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic is facing Rafael Nadal of Spain for the 60th time this afternoon, as part of the Olympic tournament played on the French Open courts.

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We remember many epic matches between the two great rivals, and after the first set today the Serbian was well on his way to handling the Spaniard and thus advancing to the next stage in Paris.

Before this match, the two rivals played against each other a total of 59 times and it is Novak who has more victories: 30-29. Many do not even remember, and some were not even born, when Novak and Rafa met on the court for the first time.

It was exactly 18 years ago, in 2006, when Djokovic and Nadal squared off in the quarterfinals, and when the Spanish tennis player advanced after Novak had to withdraw from the match due to injury.

Nadal had won the first two sets 6-4, 6-4.

Djokovic in 2006; Photo:JACK GUEZ / AFP / Profimedia

It's interesting what Nole and Rafa looked like back then. The differences are evident, as the Spaniard had much longer hair, while Nole looked like a proper youth.

Nadal in 2006; Photo: JACK GUEZ / AFP / Profimedia

Over the years, Nadal at one point had an advantage of more than ten wins in matches played against Djokovic (4-14), but the Serbian overtook him for the first time in this big battle after his victory in Qatar in 2016 ( for 24-23).

Since Djokovic took that advantage, he never let go of it.

Djokovic and Nadal in Paris today; Photo: Tanjug / AP

(Telegraf.rs)