The 22-year-old is the first player to win at Roland Garros and Queen's in the same year since the tournament began in its current format in 1979, although Ilie Nastase captured the French Open and London Grass Court Championships in 1973.

"This week has been amazing for me," said Nadal, who trailed 3-0 in the opening set and was a point away from being 4-0 down before fighting back in typically tenacious fashion to win it on a tie-break.

In a battle of this year's Grand Slam winners, the French Open and Australian Open champions produced some fantastic tennis, with many rallies more suited to a clay court than grass.

Djokovic held one set point at 6-5 in the tie-break but Nadal took the next three points to win it 8-6 in 74 minutes, the Serbian throwing his racket to the turf in frustration.

Nadal seemed on course to race through the second set when he broke for a 2-0 lead, but Djokovic refused to concede and broke straight back.

The next six games went with serve but only after Djokovic saved two more break points to make it 4-4, Nadal almost producing one of the best shots of all time after slipping over and hitting a diving forehand volley from behind the baseline which flew just wide.

Djokovic looked to have made the most of his reprieve, breaking to love in the next game only then to lose his serve straight back while serving for the set.

Nadal made the world number three pay the price for such profligacy, holding serve to lead 6-5 and then breaking Djokovic again to secure victory.

Djokovic said: "I tried, it was a great match.

"It's been a terrific week. I've only been playing on grass for three years so it's quite an improvement for me to get to the final."