Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are renowned for their never say die attitude, and one match highlighted this more than ever.

With 46 Grand Slam titles between them, the two greats have faced each other in finals more than any other player, with their battles almost always hotly-contested and physically gruelling affairs.

And this was never more the case than in a brutal showdown between the pair in the 2012 Australian Open final.

Ranked number one and two in the world respectively, there was precious little to separate Djokovic and Nadal in a marathon match that went the distance.

Ultimately, it was the Serb who emerged victorious, edging out his great rival over five sets to win 5–7, 6–4, 6–2, 6–7 (5), 7-5.

The encounter was not only an all-time classic, filled with epic long rallies and spectacular winning shots, but it made history as it became the longest major singles final of all time.

It took Djokovic a staggering 5 hours and 53 minutes to get the better of Nadal, with the decisive clash finally coming to an end at 1:37am on a Monday at the Rod Laver Arena.

And while Djokovic could not contain himself immediately after clinching his fifth Grand Slam title, ripping his shirt off to celebrate, the huge physical toll of the final soon caught up with both players.

In the awards ceremony that followed, Nadal and Djokovic were completely exhausted as they waited to receive their trophies.

So much so in fact, that the tournament staff had to bring chairs onto the court for the two sporting legends, as they were unable to remain standing for the awards ceremony.

The decorated duo could be seen hunched over side by side as they listened to speeches from the competition officials and sponsors, while Djokovic was then spotted yawning.

Totally drained, the two players then collapse onto their seats, as the effects of the gruelling encounter set in.

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And both players were fully aware of the huge significance of the historic final.

Speaking after the match, Djokovic labelled it the most special of his then five major wins.

He said: “This one I think comes out on the top because just the fact that we played almost six hours is incredible, incredible.”

“I think it’s probably the longest finals in the history of all Grand Slams, and just to hear that fact is making me cry, really.

“I’m very proud just to be part of this history.”

Meanwhile, Nadal remained in good spirits despite losing out in brutal fashion.

In his runner-up’s speech, he greeted the crowd “Good morning, everybody.”

He then reflected: “This one was very special.

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“But I really understand that was a really special match, and probably a match that’s going to be in my mind not because I lost, no, because the way that we played.”

The Spaniard would later get his revenge on his adversary at the next time of asking, as he beat Djokovic to French Open glory in the next Grand Slam of the year, triumphing in four sets.

A further seven titles at Roland-Garros would come for Nadal in the years that followed, and he now prepares to bow out from tennis next month with an unprecedented 14 titles at the French major to his name.

And with the 22-time Grand Slam champion set to retire as second only to Djokovic in this category, who boasts 24, the pair’s epic 2012 clash is surely one which will always remain at the forefront of his mind when he reflects on his stellar career.