Top 5 Tennis rivalries that can overshadow the Federer-Djokovic rivalry

Novak Djokovic emerged as the Wimbledon champion this Sunday. As the 28 year old beat Federer at his game to retain his title, he already has a fan in former world number one John McEnroe. McEnroe accepted Djokovic to be among his ‘all-time top five’ and that he will win ‘four or five more Grand Slams’ in the next two years.

While the world is divided among Federer and Djokovic fans, Business Insider India compiles a list of the top 5 men’s tennis rivalries that resulted in several pub brawls, breakups, and friendship fallouts around the world:

1.Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal (Since 2004)

Federer and Nadal sweated out a record 8 Grand Slam finals against each other, in some of the fieriest matches tennis fans have been witness to. The fact may be that Nadal won more than 2 out of 3, but their encounters still interest fans across the world.

2.Pete Sampras-Andre Agassi (1989-2002)

This duel was a clash of polar opposites. On one hand there was Sampras with his offensive style and unemphatic aura, on the other hand there was Agassi‘s charisma and precise groundstrokes. While Sampras dominated more often with 14 out of 20 games in the bag, but who can forget their clash at the 2001 US Open quarterfinal with 4 sets and 4 tiebreakers.*puff*

3.Rafael Nadal-Novak Djokovic (since 2006)

A Nadal- Djokovic clash would make any Tennis fan sit up. With over 39 games, and some of the most nail biting matches like the 6 hour long Australian Open 2012 final, the 2009 US Open semifinals and subsequently the 2011 US Open finals, these have played 6 Grand Slam finals against each other with Nadal clinching 4.

4.Björn Borg-John McEnroe (1978-1981)

(Image credit: Stevegtennis)
This would make many a Tennis fan wipe a speck of tear. That’s because this is where the first golden era of tennis began. This was a battle between a solid right hander and a vivacious right-hander. Borg and McEnroe faced each other in 14 games and stand head-to-head at 7 games each. Their most memorable games remain the tiebreaker with 18-16 in the fourth set and the 1980 Wimbledon finals.

5.Stefan Edberg - Boris Becker (1984-1996)

(Image credit: Stevegtennis)
Another nostalgic moment for Tennis fans around the globe. This was a battle between power and fluidity. Becker won 10 out of the 25 games they faced, but Edberg won 2 of the 3 Grand Slam finals and all 3 at Wimbledon.

(Image credit: Indiatimes)