The ATP Tour was dominated by the pair and their rival Rafael Nadal for the majority of the 21st Century, as they would often be seen facing off during the latter stages of Major tournaments.

Djokovic and Federer played one another 50 times during their time together on tour, with the Serbian star winning the head-to-head 27-23.

They played in their fair share of classics, none better than Djokovic and Federer’s Wimbledon final epic back in 2019.

Another that lives long in the memory was their clash from 2011, where Djokovic hit a shot that Federer simply couldn’t understand.

Roger Federer couldn’t understand Novak Djokovic’s match point save at the 2011 US Open

Down two match points in the 2011 US Open semi-finals against a man who had won the title in five of the last seven years, it didn’t look as if Djokovic stood much of a chance.

Federer walked up looking to serve things out at 40-15 when Djokovic hit one of the most remarkable returns in tennis history.

Slapping a forehand crosscourt, the crowd went wild as the Serb saved the first of two match points against his Swiss rival.

Federer then stumbled on his second match point before Djokovic eventually broke Federer to keep his US Open hopes alive.

From trailing 6-7, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 3-5 (15-40), Djokovic won the next four games and advanced to the final completing one of the greatest comebacks in Flushing Meadows history.

Federer couldn’t quite believe what had happened after the match, and was frustrated when a reporter suggested that Djokovic’s return at 15-40 was fuelled by confidence.

“Confidence? Are you kidding me? I mean, please,” he said.

“Look, some players grow up and play like that.

“I remember losing junior matches, just being down 5-2 in the third, and they all just start slapping shots.

“It all goes in for some reason, because that’s the kind of way they grew up playing when they were down.

“I never played that way, I believe in hard work’s going to pay off kind of thing because early on maybe I didn’t always work at my hardest.”

He couldn’t believe that Djokovic went so aggressive down match-point regardless of how things turned out.

“For me, this is very hard to understand how can you play a shot like that on match point.

“But, look, maybe he’s been doing it for 20 years, so for him, it was very normal, you’ve got to ask him.”

Djokovic’s reply was a lot more relaxed as he prepared for his meeting with Nadal in the final.

“Yeah, I tend to do that on match points,” he said.

“It kind of works.”

What happened in the 2011 US Open final between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal?

While Djokovic had pulled off somewhat of a ‘Houdini’ act to qualify for the final, Nadal had gotten the better of Andy Murray in the second semi-final.

Nadal was the defending champion in New York having beaten Djokovic the year prior, and the prospect of a rematch had fans on the edge of their seats.

Djokovic took the first two sets, as he edged closer to clinching his first US Open title, before Nadal fought back.

Just a few points away from defeat, Nadal took home the third set tiebreaker 7-3, as the pair battled on into a fourth set.

The Serb proved too much for Nadal, however, as he finished things off dropping just one more game, as he lifted the trophy on Arthur Ashe for the first time in his career.

It was the first of many for Djokovic at the US Open, who repeated his success in 2015, 2018, and 2023, as he currently sits on four titles at the event.

He’ll no doubt be hoping to add to that tally in the new year, as he looks to make up for a disappointing early exit against Alexei Popyrin in 2024.

Djokovic will return to tennis at the Brisbane International which begins on December 30.

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