Nadal vs. Djokovic: Why Top Pair in Men's Tennis Is Best Rivalry in Sports

It's a remarkable time at the top of the men's game in tennis, and the rivalry brewing between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic is the best one we currently have in sports.

Consider the context of the final between the two at the French Open. With a win, Rafael Nadal would tie Bjorn Borg for third place in career Grand Slam titles with 11 and would also surpass Borg for the most French Open titles in history with seven.

Remarkably, it would be Nadal's seventh title at Roland Garros in eight years, a string of dominance rarely seen anywhere in sports.

Meanwhile, Djokovic has the opportunity to become the first man to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time since Rod Lavar did so in 1969, which would cap off a remarkable run of play over the past year-and-a-half.

And the two men atop the rankings are sure to continue this epic rivalry all year long.

Djokovic dominated the matches between the two in 2011, finishing the year 6-0 against Nadal. But the talented Spaniard has had much better luck in 2012, taking two of the first three matches between the pair.

And unbelievably, the French Open is the fourth straight Grand Slam final being contested between the two.

Roger Federer still has some good tennis in him, and I firmly believe Andy Murray will break through and win a Grand Slam at some point, but as of now, the undisputed kings of the court are Djokovic and Nadal.

They could end up being two of the best players ever to step on the court when all is said and done, making this rivalry all the more intriguing.

Where else in sport do you have two heavyweights constantly doing battle on the biggest stages? Where else are we seeing such consistent greatness between two foes at the top of their sport? What is more intriguing than a Djokovic vs. Nadal match these days?

I contend that nothing is. We see a different level of competition when these men square off.

You may not like tennis, and you may have little interest in the French Open, but if you watch these men compete and truly analyze the level of play being displayed, it is hard to dispute that there isn't more compelling rivalry in sports, at least not in 2012.

It is a special time in men's tennis. Someday, we will look back and smile remembering the epic battles between Nadal and Djokovic.

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