Novak Djokovic thanks Rafael Nadal for 'pushing' him 'to the very limit'

The "student becomes the master" expression is apt when discussing the iconic rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

The Spaniard got the better of the Serb in 15 of their first 18 matches, starting from their first-ever encounter in the quarterfinal of the 2005 French Open until the semifinal of the 2009 Madrid Masters. Djokovic's only three wins, predictably so, all came on hard courts, but none were at majors as Nadal continued to dominate Djokovic on the grandest stage. Case in point: the 2010 U.S. Open final, where Nadal beat him in four sets, furthering his psychological edge over his foe. 

By the turn of the decade, though, a switch seemed to go off in Djokovic. He was no longer throwing rackets out of rage, the way he did in his younger years, and he developed the uncanny knack of coming from behind. This composed version of Djokovic would defeat Nadal in seven consecutive matches between the final of the 2011 Indian Wells Masters and the final of the 2012 Australian Open. 

During that memorable stretch, they made history by becoming the first pair of men to play in four consecutive major finals —the 2011 Wimbledon, 2011 U.S. Open, 2012 Australian Open and 2012 French Open. While Nadal would finally snap the losing streak at Roland-Garros, he would suffer several more high-profile losses to Djokovic through the 2010s, with the Serb even beating "The King of Clay" at his stomping grounds of Roland-Garros in 2015. 

The rivalry ends 31-29 in favor of the Serb, as Nadal recently announced his retirement from the sport. But make no mistake, Djokovic wouldn't have turned into the GOAT without being baptized by the Nadal fire. It's the reality he acknowledged while paying homage to the departing legend on Thursday.