Moments When Novak Djokovic Outlasts 'King of Clay' Rafael Nadal In French Open 2021 Semi-Finals

Image: AFP

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning against Spain's Rafael Nadal at the end of their men's singles semi-final tennis match on Day 13 of The Roland Garros 2021 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on June 11, 2021. (Image: Christophe ARCHAMBAULT / AFP)

Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Spain's Rafael Nadal during their men's singles semi-final tennis match on Day 13 of The Roland Garros 2021 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on June 11, 2021. (Image: MARTIN BUREAU / AFP)

Novak Djokovic handed 13-time champion, Rafael Nadal, only his third defeat in 16 years and 108 matches at the French Open on Friday to reach his sixth Roland Garros final in an epic showdown that even beat his country's Covid curfew. (Image: AFP)

Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts during his men's singles semi-final tennis match against Serbia's Novak Djokovic on Day 13 of The Roland Garros 2021 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on June 11, 2021.(Image: AFP)

The world No. 1's 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2 victory, in front of a crowd of 5,000 strong who were allowed to stay on beyond the 11 p.m. curfew thanks to a government intervention, sent him through to the final against Stefanos Tsitsipas, the Greek who ousted Alexander Zverev in five sets to reach his first Grand Slam final. (Image: AFP)

This combination of pictures created and taken on June 11, 2021 on Day 13 of The Roland Garros 2021 French Open tennis tournament in Paris, shows Serbia's Novak Djokovic (L) and Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas during their men's singles semi-final tennis match. Serbia's Novak Djokovic and Greece's Stefanos Tsitsipas will play against each other in the men's singles final tennis match of The Roland Garros 2021 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on June 13, 2021.(Image: AFP)

Rafael Nadal lost his first-ever semi-final at Roland Garros. Nadal made many unforced errors, showing the pressure he felt under. (Image: AFP)

"Definitely the best match that I was part of ever in Roland Garros for me," Djokovic said. "And top three matches that I ever played in my entire career, considering quality of tennis, playing my biggest rival on the court where he has had so much success and has been the dominant force in the last 15-plus years, and the atmosphere which was completely electric. For both players, a lot of support. Just amazing. (Image: AFP)

Novak Djokovic signs an autograph on a camera at the end of his men's singles semi-final tennis match against Spain's Rafael Nadal on Day 13 of The Roland Garros 2021 French Open tennis tournament in Paris on June 11, 2021.(Image: AFP)