The 36-year-old has won the first two majors of the year and the next generation do not look ready to challenge him in finals
At the 2006 edition of the French Open, Novak Djokovic took one of the first great steps of his young career by reaching his first grand slam quarter final at 19. He had already beaten three seeded players, including the explosive world No 9, Fernando González, but greatness awaited. Djokovic stepped on Court Philippe Chatrier for his first quarter-final against Rafael Nadal, the 20-year-old defending champion.
It was not quite the longest encounter of what would go on to be a 59-match rivalry. Two sets in, Djokovic retired while trailing 6-4, 6-4 with a lower back injury. Afterwards, he said he had learnt from the match that Nadal was hardly unbeatable on clay and if his back had allowed him to serve properly, he would have had his chances.