Top 5 Men's Tennis Rivalries Heading into 2015
Rivalries are why we watch sports.
When two combatants share a history, it makes for a more intense and personal experience. The outcome is often in doubt because both opponents are evenly matched and know each other's strengths and weaknesses.
They bring out the best in one another, which makes for ultimate drama.
In men's tennis, rivalries rule the land.
Between Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, this era has been blessed with the presence of four prolific champions. But only man can emerge victorious at any given tournament.
When they meet one another, their encounters provide great theater and tennis.
There are other emerging matchups on the ATP World Tour that are equally entertaining.
The following slideshow will rank the top five current rivalries in men's tennis. As the 2015 season approaches, the final chapter in these thrilling narratives have still yet to be written.
Honorable Mentions
1 of 6
Milos Raonic vs. Kei Nishikori
Two of the young guns on the ATP World Tour, Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori are in the midst of a budding and fierce rivalry.
And they couldn't be more different as players, which makes their duels so fun to watch.
Raonic is a towering, 6'5" Canadian with an atomic serve and powerful forehand.
Nishikori, a 5'10" native of Japan, possesses an all-court game and elite foot speed and quickness.
Despite his small stature, Nishikori has so far played David to Raonic's Goliath, holding a 4-1 advantage.
They played four times in 2014, highlighted by Raonic's win at Wimbledon and Nishikori's five-set revenge at the U.S. Open. Nishikori also won their two thrilling meetings in Madrid and Tokyo.
With both players entering their mid-20s, this matchup will be one to watch for a long time.
Philipp Kohlschreiber vs. John Isner
John Isner (6'10") stands a foot taller than his counterpart, Philipp Kohlschreiber (5'10"). Despite their height differences, both their games are built on first-strike tennis—power serves and forehands.
While Isner owns the overall lead (4-3), the German has beaten him the last three years in the third round of the U.S. Open in equally tense affairs.
In their seven meetings, four have gone the distance, and there has been a total of 10 tie-breaks.
While it doesn't have the glamor of other popular rivalries, Isner vs. Kohlschreiber is more than worth the price of admission.
Roger Federer vs. Andy Murray
They're two members of the esteemed Big Four, and they've stared each other down 23 times in their careers.
Andy Murray initially held a 6-2 advantage, but Roger Federer has pulled ahead 12-11 in the overall tally.
It took time for Federer to figure out Murray's quirky style of play, but he seems to be more comfortable in recent years against the Scot.
Federer is 3-0 against Murray in Grand Slam finals, winning at the U.S. Open in 2008, the Australian Open in 2010 and Wimbledon in 2012.
The most important triumph for Murray came in the gold medal match at the 2012 Olympic Games.
In 2014, Federer swept all three of their matches, including a win at the Australian Open and a 6-0, 6-1 drubbing at the World Tour Finals.
While they play often in big matches, 12 of their meetings have ended in straight sets, which holds it back from being considered one of the top rivalries in men's tennis.
5. Juan Martin Del Potro vs. Roger Federer
2 of 6
Roger Federer and Juan Martin del Potro have drastically different skill sets. But that dichotomy is why their matches are often so exhilarating.
Yielding his racket like a sledgehammer, Del Potro crushes shots for terminal velocity. He takes away timing and rhythm from opponents, putting them on the constant defensive. He pushes Federer like few can, though the Swiss finds success by slicing and moving Del Potro side to side.
Federer holds a 15-5 advantage against the Argentine, yet it's Del Potro who came out victorious in their only Grand Slam final meeting.
In the 2009 U.S. Open final, a 20-year-old Del Potro kept Federer from his sixth-consecutive New York crown with an epic 3–6, 7–6 (5), 4–6, 7–6 (4), 6–2 win.
While Del Potro still trails 1-5 in their Grand Slam encounters, he has beaten Federer twice in the Basel finals (2012-13), denying his adversary of a hometown title.
Their last seven matches have all gone the distance, with their legendary meeting at the 2012 Olympic Games ending in a heart-pounding 19-17 win for Federer.
"I could hear the 'Chariots of Fire' soundtrack playing in my head during that 4h26m match btwn Fed & Del Potro. Such drama & GRIT! #Olympics
— Shikha Choudhury (@ShikhaC) August 3, 2012"
The two titans didn't clash in 2014 because of a wrist injury that kept Del Potro sidelined for most of the year.
A new season is on the horizon, however, and with it comes the return of Del Potro. Once he shakes off the rust of his long sabbatical, there will be plenty more scintillating matches with Federer.
4. Andy Murray vs. Novak Djokovic
3 of 6
Whenever an important tournament rolls around, there's a good chance Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray will play one another.
The two have met a whopping 16 times in just the last three years.
Djokovic, who leads the match-up 15-8, has pulled away recently from Murray, winning seven of the last eight meetings and all four encounters in 2014. But Murray's lone win during that stretch was a memorable one: the 2013 Wimbledon final.
That win ended Britain's 76-year drought at the All England Club and is the most important moment of Murray's career.
Murray also defeated Djokovic in the 2012 U.S. Open final, the Scot's first Grand Slam title.
Djokovic, though, beat Murray in the 2011 and 2013 Australian Open finals and holds a 4-2 overall edge at majors.
The two rivals are strikingly similar, as Juan Jose Vallejo wrote for Rolling Stone:
"Andy and Novak were born just seven days apart in May of 1987 (the former is the elder), and they've known each other since they were children. They're both right-handers who easily call their great two-handed backhands their best shot. They're both extraordinary defenders and they also happen to be two of the best humans at returning serve.
"
Their matches are often tactical duels from the baseline with plenty of drop-shots mixed in for effect. Murray's clean game keeps him in long rallies with Djokovic, but the Serbian is often the bolder of the two and takes more chances.
Though a majority of their meetings have ended in straight sets, they've often been high-quality duels.
Djokovic and Murray will turn 28 years old next spring. There's still plenty of time for more enthralling matches between the two comrades.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
3. Rafael Nadal vs. Roger Federer
4 of 6
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have produced some of the most legendary encounters in tennis history.
From an epic tussle for the Rome title in 2006 to their iconic clash in the 2008 Wimbledon final and so many other indelible moments, Federer and Nadal battles have a penchant for drama.
In one corner, there's Nadal, the lefty from Spain with the killer topspin, two-handed backhand and brutish demeanor.
Opposite him is the Swiss maestro, Federer, a righty who plays with a quiet coolness, grace and ballet-like agility.
These opposites often attract for exquisite and breathtaking rallies on the biggest stages in tennis.
But the matchup has lost some of its luster in the last few years.
Nadal has dominated the proceedings lately, winning their last six Grand Slam matches and their five most-recent meetings for a 23-10 edge.
"It's relatively simple for Nadal. He's been doing it for 10 years. Play to the Federer backhand
— Barry Flatman (@Barry_FlatmanST) January 24, 2014"
Federer has been unable to adapt tactically against Nadal, who repeatedly frustrates the Swiss with high-bouncing shots and lefty serves to his one-handed backhand.
That lopsided record against Nadal is the most glaring blot on Federer's resume. He just can't solve the Spaniard.
The rivalry has also lost steam because of Nadal's extended absences in 2012 and 2014 to nurse injuries. This season, the two only faced off once, a three-set victory for Nadal at the Australian Open.
Federer vs. Nadal is still perhaps the greatest rivalry in men's tennis history because they've met with so much on the line and brought out the best in each other. At the moment, however, there are more intriguing matchups on the ATP World Tour.
2. Roger Federer vs. Novak Djokovic
5 of 6
The two combatants stood on the pristine lawns of Wimbledon this summer unable to contain their emotions. After five sensational sets of tennis, Novak Djokovic jubilantly lifted the golden trophy while a tear streamed down Roger Federer's cheek, his silver runner-up plaque a small consolation.
That match, a 6-7 (7), 6-4, 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-4 victory for Djokovic, was the crescendo of their intense rivalry and one of the greatest major finals.
Federer and Djokovic have met 35 other times, with the Swiss ahead 19-17.
While Djokovic reigned at Wimbledon this year, they've split their 12 Grand Slam meetings.
This year, they met six times, with Federer winning in Dubai, Monte Carlo and Shanghai. Djokovic took Indian Wells, Wimbledon and the World Tour Finals (after a Federer walkover). Neither man won consecutive matches.
There's not much separation between these two warriors. Federer and Djokovic wage dramatic and adrenaline-soaked contests in some of the most memorable matches.
Two years in a row (2010-11), Federer had match points on Djokovic in the U.S. Open semifinals. Both times the Serbian escaped imminent doom with gutsy shotmaking.
In the 2011 French Open semifinals, Djokovic saw his win streak of 44 matches end at the hands of a laser-focused and vibrant Federer.
Those are just a few of the legendary meetings in an increasingly back and forth match-up.
Carl Bialik of FiveThirtyEight argued it's the best rivalry in men's tennis history and detailed what makes their duels so fascinating:
"Federer-Djokovic provides plenty of intangible pleasure for neutral fans. Each can defend but prefers to play the aggressor, making for quick reversals and for many unpredictable points. Federer has one of the sport’s most effective serves ever. It has a mighty foil in Djokovic’s possibly best-ever return. Federer’s rekindling of his love for the serve and volley raises the tension.
"
There have even been small hints of disdain between the two, with Federer and Djokovic's parents trading barbs throughout the years.
On the court, Federer's elite offensive skills and forehand make for a perfect counter to Djokovic's extraordinary defensive talent and backhand. As long as both players stay healthy, their duel for the No.1 ranking should heat up again in 2015.
1. Novak Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal
6 of 6
No men in tennis history have played more often than Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
They've already crossed paths a mind-boggling 42 times in their careers, and both players are still under 30 years old.
Their matches are known for intensity and physicality, with both men equally-matched in their defensive and movement skills.
If you're a fan of long, grinding rallies, Nadal vs. Djokovic won't disappoint.
Because they're two of the best movers on the court, it's tough for either man to hit winners against each other. Their matches often play out like grueling endurance tests.
"Nadal not being able to hold the RG trophy after another battle with Djokovic is a perfect testament to this rivalry. #BattleRoyale
— Juan José Vallejo (@juan_jo_sports) June 8, 2014"
When they meet, the stakes are always high.
Djokovic and Nadal have squared off 22 times in finals. While Djokovic leads 12-10 in those encounters, Nadal owns a 4-3 advantage in Grand Slam finals.
Nadal holds the overall edge (23-19), though Djokovic has closed the gap in the last three years, going 12-7 against the Spaniard.
The turning point in the rivalry came in 2011. Djokovic seized momentum, winning all six of their finals encounters that year—including Wimbledon and the U.S. Open—leaving Nadal shaken and unsure of himself.
They met again at the 2012 Australian Open, with the Serbian winning a nearly six-hour match, his seventh-straight finals win over Nadal.
Just when it looked as if Djokovic had Nadal under his thumb, the Spaniard regained control, capturing six of their ensuing seven meetings.
It's Djokovic who's been on top lately, securing four of their last five matches. But Nadal had the last laugh, conquering his foe in this year's French Open final.
These two players could not be more evenly matched as they battle for tennis supremacy. Expect more twists and turns in 2015.
All statistics are courtesy of ATPWorldTour.com unless otherwise noted.
Joe Kennard is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
