A treasured rivalry will be renewed on Sunday as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal square off for the title at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. This is their eighth meeting in Rome. Nadal edges Djokovic 4-3 in their mini-series at the ATP Masters 1000 event, which includes four finals (2-2). Djokovic leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry 28-25.

More to come…

Enter the grounds of the NECKARCUP in Heilbronn and your immediate impression is one of a modern facility, built especially for a world-class tennis tournament.

Turn to the left and you’ll find a corridor of entertainment, featuring a stage for concerts and comedy shows, and nationally renowned dining, including Thomas Gödtel’s Tenno Sushi Lounge. Then shift to the right and stroll past the two main show courts, weaving through the VIP centre and a sponsor village that features a 3D printing machine.

On Thursday, the NECKARCUP celebrated its second consecutive ‘Tournament of the Year’ honour on the ATP Challenger Tour, lifting the trophy in front of the home fans. The TC Heilbronn Trappensee was packed with the German faithful to witness the occasion, as tournament directors and founders Metehan and Mine Cebeci hoisted the award for all to see.

But despite its lush ambiance, this venue actually has quite a long and storied history. One of the longest on the Challenger circuit, in fact.

Turn back the clock more than a century and you will find this very stadium at the forefront of German tennis. Not only is the TC Heilbronn Trappensee the second-oldest tennis club in all of Germany, but it is also the third-oldest on the ATP Challenger Tour today.

Oldest Challenger Venues

Founded in 1892, it celebrates its 127th anniversary this year. Only the grass-court facilities in Ilkley (1880) and Surbiton (1881) have a longer legacy on the circuit, but Heilbronn boasts arguably the most colourful history.

The original site was constructed on the expanse of land adjacent to the current stadium, but during World War II, the city was the target of numerous bombings by the British and United States Air Forces. In April 1945, the U.S. military seized control of Heilbronn and the persistent air raids culminated in a nine-day battle. Located along the Neckar River, the city was an important battleground towards the end of the war.

The Cebecis say that troops from the United States army were stationed in the region immediately surrounding the city, which was nearly entirely destroyed by more than 1,000 allied bombs.
Following the war, the American forces helped the locals rebuild the tennis club, assisting in the construction of the current indoor facility that today houses three carpet courts. During the tournament, the building is transformed into a sprawling player lounge, dining area and event offices.

Today, the surrounding region is home to hundreds of vineyards. Heilbronn is known for its bustling wine industry, with more than 1,300 acres of land dedicated to the craft. Tucked in the southwest corner of Germany, less than an hour north of Stuttgart, the city’s tranquility provides players with an ideal setting for a tournament.

And that’s exactly why the Cebecis established the event. In just six years, it has become one of the premier stops on the ATP Challenger Tour, serving the players with all the amenities they need, from round-the-clock shuttle service to buffet lunches and dinners, a large warm-up and cool down area and six practise courts.

“This tournament is for the players,” said Mine. “We know we provide a nice fan experience too, but our philosophy is ‘players first’. If they are happy, we are successful.”

The tournament has been fortunate to have a glittering list of champions, with four of the five winners going on to crack the Top 50 of the ATP Rankings. World No. 5 Alexander Zverev lifted the trophy in 2015, with Jan-Lennard Struff, Nikoloz Basilashvili and Filip Krajinovic also featuring in the winners’ circle. Last year, 17-year-old Rudolf Molleker became the youngest Challenger titlist in 2018 with his maiden title in Heilbronn.

Moreover, the NECKARCUP is well advertised and promoted in the region, with live media coverage from multiple outlets spanning the entire week. From online publications to newspaper, TV and radio, the tournament is covered from top to bottom. And the public has taken notice, with nearly 6,000 people filling the stands throughout the week.

Metehan’s father, Erdogan, was an iconic figure at the club for many years. He served as the chief tennis intructor since immigrating from Turkey and taught Metehan how to play as a child.

“My father was one of the first tennis teachers to come from Turkey to Germany. He moved in 1972 and helped grow the club. At first, there were only six courts, but it has grown to nine, with three also indoors. And when we first started, there were 200 club members and now we have 740. They are all here for tennis.”

In 1988, Metehan moved from Turkey to Heilbronn at the age of 17. One year later, he and Mine met in the city and in 1990 they were married. Today, they live in Heilbronn and with their 21-year-old daughter helping with tournament operations and their 16-year-old son working as a ball boy, it truly is a family affair.

“You feel at home here,” said Germany’s Dominik Koepfer. “The player area is the best you will find on tour. There’s plenty of food, enough bikes and a great place to cool down and warm up. You have your privacy too, which is important. They pick you up from the train station and airport too, which is 40 minutes away. You don’t get that at all Challengers. Transport is every 30 minutes and the hotel is very good. There are enough practice courts too. It’s just a great tournament, which really helps this time of year.”

“It’s always great to play at home and this is my fourth time here,” added Oscar Otte. “Every year the tournament is improving and getting better. The whole organisation is great and the player area is a really high level for a Challenger. There’s also a lot of spectators supporting the Germans. We all like to play here. For me, it’s the best Challenger.”

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have met more than any other two players in the Open Era, a record 53 times. Djokovic leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry 28-25 and has won nine of their past 11 contests, with the Serbian winning their most recent meeting in the 2019 Australian Open final.

On Sunday, the pair will meet for the eighth time in Rome in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia final. The winner will break a tie between the two players to stand alone with a record 34 ATP Masters 1000 titles.

ATPTour.com breaks down a history of the duo’s 53 career matches:

2019 Australian Open Final, hard, Djokovic d. Nadal 6-3, 6-2, 6-3

In an eagerly anticipated match-up, a repeat of their 2012 final in Melbourne Park, Djokovic started with a bang to win the first three games. Nadal, with his refined service motion and potent forehand, was unable to create an opening and through two sets Djokovic had lost just six of his service points and committed four unforced errors. Nadal continued to fight and created his lone break point at 2-3, 30/40 in the third set, but Djokovic was in irresistible form and put together one of the best performances of his career.

In capturing his 15th Grand Slam championship crown, the 73rd tour-level trophy of his career, the Serbian broke a tie with Pete Sampras (14). It was also a record-breaking seventh trophy at the Australian Open, moving passed Roy Emerson and Roger Federer. Read Match Report

2018 Wimbledon SF, grass, Djokovic d. Nadal 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(9), 3-6, 10-8

It was clear that Djokovic had climbed closer to his best form ahead of the pair’s semi-final at The Championships, hanging tough against Nadal in Rome, reaching the Roland Garros quarter-finals and finishing runner-up at The Queen’s Club. But could the Serbian overcome the greatest challenge of his comeback from a right elbow injury against World No. 1 Nadal, who was 35-2 on the season?

It turned out that the great rivals were evenly matched, with Djokovic saving five break points in a thrilling fifth set before triumphing after five hours and 15 minutes. And fittingly, they both hit 73 winners to just 42 unforced errors in the classic. 

Djokovic earned his first Grand Slam semi-final win against Nadal to reach his fifth Wimbledon final, claiming the signature victory of his comeback to advance to his first major championship match since the 2016 US Open. Nadal had won 16 consecutive matches in the last four at Slams, but he bowed out after making his deepest run at the All England Club since 2011, when he lost in the final.

2018 Internazionali BNL d’Italia SF, clay, Nadal d. Djokovic 7-6(4), 63

Entering the pair’s first meeting in more than a year, Nadal was the clear favourite. The top seed had won 50 consecutive sets on clay — a record for the most sets claimed in a row on a single surface — before falling in the Madrid quarter-finals the previous week. And it was tough to tell how high Djokovic, still recovering from a right elbow injury, would be able to raise his level. 

But the Serbian played excellent tennis, especially in the first set, comfortably finding the sharpest of angles from the backhand corner to give Nadal fits. But toward the end of the opening set, the Spaniard began to unleash his forehand down the line, therefore changing court positioning and taking control of baseline rallies, leading to his eventual victory. 

It was an important win for Nadal, earning his 356th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 match victory to break a tie with Roger Federer (355) for the most in history. The 31-year-old also moved within one triumph of reclaiming the No. 1 spot in the ATP Rankings after dropping to No. 2 with his loss in Madrid. The triumph not only showed Nadal’s great form, but also that Djokovic, despite competing in just his first semi-final of 2018, is on his way back to his top level.

2017 Mutua Madrid Open SF, clay, Nadal d. Djokovic 6-2, 6-4

During their historic 50^th FedEx ATP Head2Head meeting, Nadal decidedly turned the tables on Djokovic, thoroughly outplaying the defending champion to reach his eighth Mutua Madrid Open final. Djokovic had owned their rivalry during recent years. The Serbian had won 15 consecutive sets and seven straight matches against Nadal.

It had been nearly three years since the “King of Clay” had prevailed against Djokovic – the 2014 Roland Garros final. But Nadal dominated from the start during their 50^th meeting in Madrid, aggressively smashing forehands and confidently hitting backhand winners. Djokovic would make it a match in the second set but Nadal served out the final after one hour and 38 minutes.

The win further solidified Nadal’s place in history as the greatest clay-court player and showed the tennis world that the Spaniard is back in top form. He improved to 14-0 in clay-court matches this season and will play for his third clay-court crown of the year, after winning a record 10th title at the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters and Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell earlier this season.

2016 Internazionali BNL d’Italia QF, clay, Djokovic d. Nadal 75 76(4)

In their closest contest for almost two years, Djokovic rallied from a break down in both sets to thwart an in-form and enthusiastic Nadal. The Serb extended his recent mastery over the Spaniard to move into the Rome semi-finals for the 10th consecutive year. Djokovic has now won the past seven matches and 15 sets against Nadal.

The World No. 1 leads their FedEx ATP Head2Head rivalry 26-23. He also moved within two matches of winning his 30th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title.

2016 BNP Paribas Open SF, hard, Djokovic d. Nadal 76(5) 62

Djokovic earned the opportunity to play for an unprecedented fifth BNP Paribas Open title after edging Nadal in the semi-finals at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. In the pair’s 48th meeting – an Open Era record on the ATP World Tour – the Serb claimed his sixth straight win over Nadal and has won 13 consecutive sets against the Spaniard.

Djokovic would go on to win the BNP Paribas Open final and join Nadal with a record 27 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles. The World No. 1 has won seven of the past 10 Masters 1000 events. Despite the loss, however, Nadal said he gained confidence from playing Djokovic better than he has in their recent matches.

2016 Qatar ExxonMobil Open F, hard, Djokovic d. Nadal 61 62

Djokovic made sure the lone blip in his jaw-dropping 2015 campaign – a Doha quarter-final defeat to Ivo Karlovic – was a distant memory. The World No. 1 captured his sixth consecutive ATP World Tour title and 60th overall at the tour-level. He became just the 10th player in the Open Era to reach the 60-title milestone, drawing level with Andre Agassi in a tie for ninth.

After streaking to a 6-1 first set after just 31 minutes, Djokovic continued to apply pressure on Nadal, suffocating the Spaniard from the baseline with a ruthless display of aggression. He converted his third break point in the opening game of the second set and secured another break to all but seal the match at 4-1. He would wrap up the match after 73 minutes, striking a total 30 winners to just 13 unforced errors.

The Serb leads the historic FedEx ATP Head2Head for the first time at 24-23. He has now claimed 11 consecutive sets since Nadal prevailed in the 2014 Roland Garros final.

2015 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals SF, hard, Djokovic d. Nadal 63 63

Djokovic turned in a comprehensive performance in reaching a fourth consecutive final at The O2 in London, advancing to an 85th tour-level title match. 

Djokovic was on the attack immediately against Nadal’s own serve, pouncing on a short second serve for a return winner in the very first point and breaking to love for a quick 2-0 lead. The Belgrade native struck 12 winners and just one unforced error through the first three games. He was in control at the baseline, dictating play on his own terms and most importantly refusing to yield an inch on his own serve.

Patterns persisted in the second set, with Djokovic using his agility to stand tall on the baseline and he would break for 3-2 after a 25-shot rally. The Serb launched a backhand winner down-the-line on the run to give him his first match point at 5-3 and he would capitalise with another backhand winner – this time going cross-court.

With his consecutive finals reached streak up to 15 tournaments, Djokovic became the first player to claim 30 match wins against Top 10 opponents in a single season.

2015 China Open F, hard, Djokovic d. Nadal 62 62

Djokovic extended his run of dominance in Beijing to 29-0 with a gritty victory over Nadal in the final. It was the Serb’s seventh win over Nadal in their last eight meetings, a run that began at the 2013 China Open final. The World No. 1, who had already clinched the year-end top spot in the Emirates ATP Rankings, improved to a stunning 68-5 in 2015 and 23-4 against Top 10 opponents.

Djokovic would get off to a flying start in his quest for a sixth Beijing title, breaking immediately in the first game and again for 5-2 after turning aside a pair of break chances in the sixth game. Nadal would receive a visit from the trainer for an apparent leg ailment midway through the third game of the second set and Djokovic would pounce, breaking for 2-1. He did not look back, surging to the title after 91 minutes. The top seed struck 23 winners, including seven aces.

“This has definitely been my most successful tournament,” said Djokovic during the trophy ceremony. “Beijing has been a lucky place for me. In 2008, I remember the Olympic Games when Rafa won gold and the tradition of Asian tennis started here. I played a great tournament overall and continued playing well today. Rafa and I have played 45 times and I hope that continues.”

2015 Roland Garros QF, clay, Djokovic d. Nadal 75 63 61

On his seventh attempt, Djokovic finally dethroned nine-time champion Nadal on the red clay of Roland Garros, handing the Spaniard just his second loss in Paris and maintaining his hopes of completing the career Grand Slam.

In one of the most highly anticipated Grand Slam quarter-finals in history, Djokovic raced to a 4-love lead in the first set before sixth-seeded Nadal battled back to level the match. Despite the momentum shift, the Serb would find his footing to claim the first set in 67 minutes. 

Djokovic was dominant on his serve in the second set, claiming 16 of 18 straight service points, before eventually taking a two-set lead. He carried that momentum into the final set, limiting Nadal to just three total forehand winners and claiming victory in two hours and 26 minutes. 

2015 Monte-Carlo SF, clay, Djokovic d. Nadal 63 63 

Djokovic reached his fourth Monte-Carlo by denying Rafael Nadal once again at the Monte-Carlo Country Club. Their 43rd meeting with a tale of the seventh game. Djokovic is now riding a 16-match winning streak and is on course to capture four straight ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles.

Nadal took a 2-0 lead at the start of the match, as Djokovic – the form player of 2015 – was tested, but regrouped to win three straight games. In an 11-minute seventh game, which saw Djokovic save one break, his greater weight of shots eventually over-stretched Nadal. Djokovic broke for a 5-3 lead, but Nadal battled throughout the 43-minute opener.

Djokovic playing on, or inside, the baseline, withstood a stern examination of his backhand, to create two break point chances in the opening game but he could not make a breakthrough. Nadal led 40/0 it 3-3, but was left to rue two forehand errors and a double fault as Djokovic went on to claim the 19-point game. Djokovic earned his 29th match win of the season with a backhand winner into space.

2014 Roland Garros, clay, Nadal d. Djokovic 36 75 62 64

Nadal prevented Djokovic from completing a career Grand Slam, as he retained his No. 1 Emirates ATP Ranking and became the first player in history to win nine titles at a major. He also drew level with Pete Sampras at No. 2 in the Grand Slam title-leaders list on 14 major crowns.

The Spaniard had lost eight of his past nine sets against Djokovic entering the Roland Garros final, and once again fell behind to start the match as Djokovic broke in the eighth game and survived a pair of break points. Though the winner of the first set had gone on to triumph nine times in their 11 previous Grand Slam meetings, a free-swinging Nadal drew level at a set apiece with a break and quickly raced out to a 3-0 lead in the third. The Serbian found renewed energy in the fourth set, recovering a break in the seventh game, but was unable to hold serve to stay in the match as he double-faulted on championship point.

2014 Internazionali BNL d’Italia Final, Rome, clay, Djokovic d. Nadal 46 63 63

Djokovic pulled closer to Nadal in the battle for No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings by claiming his third Rome title and 19th at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 level. It was the Serb’s second triumph over his rival in a Rome final, having prevailed in the 2011 title match.

Nadal entered their 41st encounter having spent over 10 hours on court through the semi-finals, but the seven-time champion showed no signs of fatigue in the early stages. He would surge to a double-break lead in the first set behind a ferocious offensive onslaught, and held on to take the opener in 46 minutes. In their previous 10 meetings, the player who had won the first set went on to win the match. Djokovic was ready to buck the trend, finding his range and rhythm in the second and third sets and turning the tables with a tenacious attacking display. He would hold Nadal to winning under 28 per cent of second serve points won for the rest of the match, firing return winners with ease and standing tall on the baseline. Djokovic’s 46 winners (including 15 from the backhand side) and six aces were too much for Nadal to overcome.

Read Matches 1-10 
Read Matches 11 to 20
Read Matches 21 to 30
Read Matches 31 to 40

Playing his first qualifying draw since the 2012 Rolex Paris Masters, Grigor Dimitrov moved one win away from the Banque Eric Sturdza Geneva Open main draw on Saturday.

The Bulgarian defeated home favourite Marc-Andrea Huesler 6-4, 6-3 in 62 minutes to set a meeting with Thomas Fabbiano. Dimitrov had to take a wild card into qualifying after the three available main draw wild cards had already been allocated to Stan Wawrinka, Feliciano Lopez and Janko Tipsarevic.

“Obviously I haven’t competed for a long time, so I need to get as many matches as I can… I am just excited to get back on the court and to feel healthy. This is the number one thing for me,” said Dimitrov, who had played just six matches since the Australian Open. “I think the confidence comes with playing matches… I am going to compete and try my best to prepare to the maximum that I can for the final clay-court tournaments.”

Dimitrov is keen to not put any pressure on results as he continues his comeback. The Bulgarian missed events in Rotterdam, Acapulco and Indian Wells due to a right shoulder injury.

“I have zero expectations right now,” said Dimitrov. “Just because I know what I have been through, what I have gone through. I think physically and mentally, [I am] just trying to get back into decent shape. I always expect more from myself but right now… I don’t need to put anything on myself.”

The World No. 48 is currently attempting to rebuild his ATP Ranking after dropping to No. 49, his lowest standing since 29 October 2012 (No. 55), on 29 April this year. The 2017 Nitto ATP Finals champion took a moment to discuss his unwavering desire to climb back towards the top spots in the game with the valuable support of his team.

“I have dropped, a little bit, my ATP Ranking and things haven’t really gone that well for me in the past months, but that doesn’t discourage me,” said Dimitrov. “All the people that are around me right now, they really look after my best interests. In the toughest moments they are next to me and, to me, that is one of the highest values in life.”