'One of my greatest': Djokovic hails French Open masterpiece against 'Everest' Nadal

Novak Djokovic compared defeating Rafael Nadal at the French Open to scaling Mount Everest as he hailed Friday's epic semi-final triumph over the 13-time champion as "one of my greatest victories".

Djokovic condemned Nadal to only his third loss in 16 years and 108 matches at Roland Garros to reach his sixth Paris final after a classic showdown which even beat the country's Covid-19 curfew.

In their 58th career clash, Djokovic triumphed over the Spaniard and stays on course to capture a 19th major and become the first man in over 50 years to win all four Slams twice.

Djokovic, the 2016 champion in Paris who had also beaten Nadal in the 2015 quarter-finals, will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday's final in what will be his 29th championship match at the Slams.

Tsitsipas had earlier become the first Greek to reach a Grand Slam final with a victory over Germany's Alexander Zverev.

Defending champion Nadal, 35, who would have been the oldest finalist at the French Open in the modern era, remains tied on 20 majors with Roger Federer.

"It was a privilege to face Rafa in such an incredible match," said Djokovic after four hours and 11 minutes of intense action.

"Tonight it was my greatest ever match in Paris."

It was his second win in nine meetings at Roland Garros with Nadal, a sequence which also included devastating losses in the 2012, 2014 and 2020 finals.

"Definitely one of the top three matches that I ever played in my entire career," said Djokovic.

"Considering the 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. Just amazing."

It was Nadal's first defeat in 14 semi-finals in the French capital.

"Probably it was not my best day today, even if I fought," said Nadal.

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. I had a big chance. There were some crazy points but there was fatigue there."

Djokovic finished with 50 winners; Nadal committed 55 unforced errors under a relentless assault.

"It's hard to find words bigger than all the superlatives you can think of for Rafa's achievements in Roland Garros," added 34-year-old Djokovic who now leads their series 30-28.

"Each time you step on the court with him, you know that you have to kind of climb Mount Everest to win against this guy here."

Nadal bemoaned the humid conditions which became heavier and slower as the evening progressed.

"We had been playing with very warm and high bounces. During the night the situation goes a little bit the other way," he said.

"So the bounce is a little less. The ball gets less top-spin. That's more favourable for him."

As a sign of the tension of the occasion, Nadal complained to chair umpire Eva Asderaki-Moore that he needed more time to collect his towel.

Djokovic aired his bemusement at the amount of clay on the baselines.

The 5,000 spectators inside Court Philippe Chatrier were allowed to watch the conclusion of the match despite it passing the 11pm Covid-19 curfew.

"In agreement with the national authorities, the match will come to an end in your presence," said a stadium announcer told delighted fans.

Nadal shrugged off his epic loss to Djokovic at the French Open insisting "life goes on".

"I am sad to have lost in the most important tournament of the year for me, but life goes on, it is nothing more than a defeat on a tennis court," said 35-year-old Nadal.

"If everything goes well, tomorrow I will be at home with my family and friends, and then we will see what is next."

Nadal said he plans to be back in 2022 although admitting that time is not on his side if he wants to re-establish his Paris dominance.

"Although it is a very important tournament for me, I am aware that you cannot win it 15 or 16 times," he added.

"Next year I will come again, God willing, with the belief and with the necessary work to be able to give myself another chance."

When asked if he had faced the best Djokovic performance of their 15-year rivalry, he was adamant.

"No, that's what I feel. He has not faced my best self either."

"At times, my ball did not hurt him. You have to give him credit, congratulate him, but I know I can play better on this court."

"There were games on the limit, games that anyone could win, and today it was for him."

"It doesn't matter," added a rueful Nadal. "That's tennis. The player who gets used to the conditions better is the player who deserves to win."

© Agence France-Presse