5 similarities between the careers of Nadal and Djokovic

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are two of the biggest names in men's tennis. Together with Roger Federer, Nadal and Djokovic constitute the famed Big-3 trifecta of the game.

The most prominent among a plethora of records possessed by the duo include the two highest tallies of Grand Slam titles after Federer - Nadal (19), Djokovic (16) - and also the two highest tallies of Grand Slam match wins after Federer - Nadal (271), Djokovic (280).

Djokovic (26) and Nadal (24) are responsible for the most defeats suffered by record-20 time Slam champion Federer. Moreover, 10 of Federer's 11 Grand Slam final losses have come at the hands of either Nadal (6) or Djokovic (4).

Separated only by a year in age, the duo are the only active players other than Federer to win the career Grand Slam (the feat of winning all four Grand Slam titles during the course of one's career).

On that note, let us look at five striking similarities between two of the most successful players to have ever played the game:

#1 Both Nadal and Djokovic won their first 34 Masters 1000 titles from 50 finals

Djokovic won the 2019 Paris-Bercy Masters in his 50th Masters 1000 final

Djokovic reached the 2019 Paris-Bercy Masters final to become the first player after Federer (2019 Miami) and Nadal (2019 Rome) to play a staggering tally of 50 Masters 1000 finals.

In the title match, Djokovic beat first-time Masters 1000 finalist Denis Shapovalov in straight sets to win a record-extending fifth title at the venue and move to within one of Nadal's all-time tally of 35 Masters trophies.

Incidentally, Nadal also won his 50th Masters 1000 final - which came about at 2019 Rome. In the final, the Spaniard beat none other than Djokovic himself in three sets to win a record-extending 9th title in the Italian capital, in the process breaking a tie (33) with the Serb for most Masters 1000 titles.

#2 Both Nadal and Djokovic have never lost against 70% of all opponents faced

Nadal (left) and Djokovic

Rafael Nadal has faced 281 different opponents during the course of his career, and has never lost a match against 198 of them. This accounts for a perfect record against 70% (198/281) of all opponents faced.

During the course of his career, Novak Djokovic has faced 248 different opponents, beating 174 of them without enduring a defeat. This also makes for a perfect record against 70% (174/248) of all opponents faced.

#3 Both Nadal and Djokovic have a winning record against Federer

Nadal (left) and Djokovic

During the course of their immensely successful careers, both Nadal and Djokovic have beaten Roger Federer more than any other player has. Both men also have a winning head-to-head record against the Swiss maestro.

In 40 career meetings with Federer, Nadal has beaten the 20-time Grand Slam champion on 24 occasions. Nadal leads Federer 10-4 in Grand Slam matches - a tally which includes six wins in Grand Slam finals.

Djokovic trailed Federer in their head-to-head for large swathes of the pair's rivalry before the Serb surged ahead to lead 26-23. Djokovic, who has met Federer at all four Grand Slam tournaments, leads the Swiss maestro 8-6 at Grand Slams - a tally which comprises of four Grand Slam final wins.

#4 Both Nadal and Djokovic have defeated Federer in tournament finals more times than they have defeated any other player

Djokovic (left) and Nadal

Federer has lost 54 tournament finals against 21 different players during the course of his illustrious 22-year professional career.

However, more than half of his losses in title matches have come against the duo of Nadal and Djokovic. Both Nadal and Djokovic have won 14 tournament finals apiece at the expense of the 20-time Grand Slam champion - a tally which includes 10 Grand Slam finals (Nadal-6, Djokovic-4).

Federer's next highest tallies of tournament final defeats against an opponent have come against Juan Martin Del Potro (4), Andy Murray (3), Lleyton Hewitt and David Nalbandian (2 apiece). 13 other players have had one tournament final win over Federer.

#5 Nadal and Djokovic have the two best win-loss percentages in the Open Era

Nadal (left) and Djokovic

Among players to have played over 200 matches, Nadal (973-197) and Djokovic (893-187) are two of only seven players to have a career win-loss record of over 80%.

Nadal (83.2%) and Djokovic (82.7%) lead the list with the two best win-loss records of any player.