Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have inspired a generation of players to pick up a racket. Their rivalry goes strong to this date. However, it reached its absolute peak in the first half of the previous decade. The duo played some of the most fierce matches, including grand slam finals that lasted over five hours.

Recently, a Canadian youngster revealed how a particular match between Djokovic and Nadal ignited his interest in tennis. Gabriel Diallo, who just played his third ATP Tour level match yesterday, spoke highly of the two greats. He also referred to a particular match that had a major impact on him.

Canadian youngster inspired by Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

Diallo’s interest in tennis increased significantly at around 10 years of age. It was the 2012 Australian Open final that saw him fall in love with the sport. Nadal and Djokovic battled for 5 hours and 53 minutes in the Rod Laver Arena before the Serb eventually came out on top. Speaking of that match, Diallo said via the ATP Tour, “I remember I was trying to play like him (Djokovic) and imitate his sliding and just moving and just not missing the ball. Me and my friends at the time, we were trying to recreate that match, actually.”

As kids, we all wish to copy our idols. Similarly, Diallo and his friends loved to recreate the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry, particularly the 2012 Australian Open classic. The duo have played 59 matches against each other, but this final has always been a standout one.

Significance of the Australian Open final in the Djokovic-Nadal rivalry

It’s always hard to pick a standout match from a rivalry as prolific as Nadal and Djokovic’s. However, by segregating and short-listing, the job becomes much easier. For starters, only three of their matches have gone to the fifth set. Among the three, it was also the only match that took place in a grand slam final, as the other two were in the semi-finals.

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The 2012 Australian Open final also happens to be the longest major final in the history of the sport. Nadal and Djokovic broke a 24-year record that was set by Mats Wilander and Ivan Lendl at the US Open.

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Where do you rank the Australian Open 2012 final among the best major finals in the sport’s history? Do let us know in the comments.