Novak Djokovic will accept the ‘unique’ French Open challenge of becoming the first man in 43 years to monopolise all four Grand Slams, but six-time champion Rafael Nadal has his own history to make.

Only Don Budge, in 1938, and Rod Laver in 1962 and again in 1969, have achieved the feat of holding the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open trophies at the same time.

Now world number one Djokovic is just seven matches away from joining that exclusive club.

There’s only one problem and it comes in the shape of Nadal, who will become the only man to win seven French Open titles if he triumphs again on Roland Garros’ famed red brick courts.

“This is a unique opportunity that very few players have in their lives. I’m aware of that, but I accept it as a challenge,” said Djokovic, ahead of the tournament which starts today.

Since Laver’s 1969 achievement, only Pete Sampras, Roger Federer and Nadal have had opportunities to complete a non-calendar year Grand Slam.

Sampras lost to Jim Courier in the quarter-finals at Roland Garros in 1994; Federer lost to Nadal in the final at the 2006 and 2007 French Open while Nadal lost to David Ferrer in the quarter-finals at the 2011 Australian Open.

Djokovic defeated Nadal in the finals of Wimbledon, the US Open and this year’s epic Australian Open to arrive at his date with destiny.

Until the start of the claycourt season, he had also beaten Nadal in a total of seven successive finals. But Nadal has since beaten the Serb on clay in the finals in Monte Carlo and Rome.

Roland Garros remains the only major where Djokovic has yet to make the final.

Three times the 25-year-old has been a semi-finalist, losing to Nadal in 2007 and 2008 before seeing a remarkable 43-match winning run ended by Federer at the last-four stage in 2011.

Nadal, 25, has a remarkable CV at the French Open – six trophies in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2011 – and a match record of 45-1.

Supreme form

This season, Nadal has, once again, been surpreme on clay and arrives in Paris boasting a 16-1 record on the surface. But the Spaniard is keen to play down talk of a seventh French Open.

“I have much more than I ever dreamed,” said Nadal.

“I am coming here every year with the motivation to play well. But I am not going to be more motivated because I have six and I can win seven. The motivation always is the same.”

Despite his 31st birthday fast approaching, and with the last of his 16 Grand Slam titles won at the 2010 Australian Open, there is little indication of Federer losing his powers.

The Swiss was the man to benefit when Nadal slumped to his stunning 2009 loss in Paris, taking his first and only French Open title.

This will be his 14th French Open appearance. After making his debut in 1999, it took until 2006 for him to reach his first final.

Federer believes Djokovic will be thwarted in his attempt to make history in Paris.

“Rafa Nadal is the favourite for me. He’s playing for his seventh title, so no discussion,” he said.

“We’re crazy to even talk about this.

“Some people might say he’s not the favourite to win the French Open this year, but to me he’s the favourite.”

Last 10 winners

Men
2011 Nadal; 2010 Nadal; 2009 Federer; 2008 Nadal; 2007 Nadal; 2006 Nadal; 2005 Nadal; 2004 Gaudio; 2003 Ferrero; 2002 Costa.

Women
2011 Li Na; 2010 Schiavone; 2009 Kuznetsova; 2008 Iva-novic; 2007 Henin; 2006 Henin; 2005 Henin; 2004 Myskina; 2003 Henin; 2002 Serena Williams.