<P> The 2015 season saw a sharp decline from Rafael Nadal who was struggling with his form even during the clay season . The Spaniard entered the 2015 French Open without having won a Masters 1000 on clay for the first time in his career . Federer and Djokovic had met in the final of the Italian Open prior to Roland Garros, with Djokovic winning in straight sets . Djokovic then entered the French Open undefeated on clay for the season after winning back - to - back titles in Monte Carlo and Rome . At Roland Garros, Djokovic was drawn to meet Nadal in the quarterfinals where he was considered the favorite to win . Djokovic finally defeated Nadal by winning in straight sets on his way to the final . It was only Nadal's second ever loss at Roland Garros . Federer was defeated soundly in the quarterfinals by Stanislas Wawrinka who proceeded to reach the final as well . Djokovic's victory over Nadal would end up for naught as he lost the final to Wawrinka in four sets . Djokovic managed to win the French Open the next year by beating Andy Murray in four sets . </P> <P> On grass courts Djokovic leads 2--1; their having competed against each other three times at Wimbledon: once in the semifinals in 2012, which Federer won in four sets; and again in the finals of 2014 and 2015, which Djokovic won in five sets and four sets respectively . Federer's first major title came at Wimbledon where he is naturally comfortable playing on the grass . Federer went on to reach seven continuous Wimbledon finals, from 2003 to 2009 inclusive . Federer appeared in four more finals in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2017 . In total he has won eight of his eleven finals . Federer is one of the most successful grass court players ever and many tennis analysts consider grass to be his best surface . </P> <P> Federer has 17 titles on grass with nine at Halle and eight at Wimbledon . Djokovic has 4 grass titles thus far, three at Wimbledon and one at Eastbourne . Federer often plays his warm - up tournament in Halle which precedes Wimbledon . Djokovic has not played a warm - up tournament on grass since playing at Queen's Club in 2010 where he lost in the third round . Prior to that, Djokovic played Halle in 2009 where he lost the final to Tommy Haas . He also lost the Queen's Club final to Nadal in 2008, and thus he hasn't yet won a grass warm - up tournament in his career . Djokovic's quest to win Roland Garros has become his main priority in recent years, often leaving him too exhausted to partake in a warm - up tournament on grass . He instead prefers to rest before Wimbledon . </P> <P> Both Federer and Djokovic enjoy playing on faster surfaces such as grass, but Djokovic's movement has struggled on grass courts at times especially early on in his career . On the other hand, Federer's movement on grass was considered to be unparalleled in his prime years . Grass was Djokovic's least successful surface from 2005 to 2010 . Since then, Djokovic's movement on grass has immensely improved in recent years which is a key factor that enabled him to appear in the Wimbledon final four times . He won in 2011 over Rafael Nadal and again in 2014 and in 2015 over Roger Federer . Djokovic lost the Wimbledon final in 2013 after he'd won a grueling semifinal against Juan Martín del Potro--the longest Wimbledon semifinal in history . </P>

Novak djokovic vs roger federer head to head