The Rivalry and Respect: Djokovic and Nadal’s Complex Relationship

Djokovic and Nadal in a file image (REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier)

Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal have starred in one of the most exciting rivalries that the world of tennis has left us. It is still unknown when the next chapter could be, but it is clear that their countless sporting battles are going to go down in history. However, both do not have a great harmony off the court, as happened and happens to the Spaniard with Roger Federer. The statements they have made recently, especially the Serbian, are a good example of this.

“Early in my career, when I was kicking my ass on the track, I was okay with my limitations. But when I started winning some games, I felt that the energy changed a little,” acknowledged the world number one in an interview for ESPN a few weeks ago, before playing the Davis Cup in Valencia. “We have never been friends, because it is not possible between rivals, but we have not been enemies either,” Djokovic had assured, months before, in Corriere della Sera. “He’s only a year older than me, we’re both Geminis, at first we even went to dinner together. But even with him friendship is impossible,” he added.

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Later, Nadal explained on Movistar Plus+: “I don’t feel anything when I see him win a Grand Slam, my speech doesn’t change when I’m ahead or behind. I would have liked to be the tennis player with the most Grand Slams in history, without a doubt. This is what sport is about, trying to be the best possible. But it hasn’t been an obsession, it doesn’t frustrate me.”

Nadal and Djokovic in the 2022 Laver Cup (REUTERS/Dylan Martinez)

“I think Novak, in that sense, lives it in a more intense way than I have experienced it. For him it would have been a greater frustration not to achieve it. And maybe that’s why he has achieved it, he has taken his ambition to the maximum. I have been ambitious, but with a healthy ambition that has allowed me to see things in perspective, not be frustrated, not get more angry than necessary on the track when things were not going well. I have lived it this way and I am happy with it,” the Spaniard continued. Some words to which Djokovic, still biting his tongue, responded.

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“He has his opinion, with which I, of course, do not agree. I have my opinion, but I won’t share it because I don’t want to delve deeper into the topic. It is not necessary at all,” Djokovic declared to Sportal. “I have no intention of speaking in a negative context about him or Roger Federer, because my respect perhaps outweighs some negative opinions about them,” he said. Now a new mention has come from the Balkan to Nadal, on the occasion of Nole’s return to activity at the Paris Masters 1000.

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“Rafael Nadal is a very special player for me, he’s not really my friend but we have respect for each other. I hope that after our career, we can have a drink on the beach , talk about life.”

Nadal/Djokovic, adversity or friendship: @DjokerNole In #CàVous pic.twitter.com/iDLetAUTTK

— C to you (@cavousf5) October 30, 2023

The leader of the ATP ranking, who does not debut in the individual draw of the tournament in the French capital until this Wednesday, is taking advantage of his presence in France. Beyond returning to the competition, he presented the Ballon d’Or to the best footballers in the world this Monday and stopped by the country’s public television to give an interview.

In the C à vous program, Nadal, as could not be otherwise at the Roland Garros headquarters, came to the fore in the conversation with Djokovic. The latter considered her his best rival, valuing the matches they have played precisely in the clay court Grand Slam and, ultimately, all those in which they have faced each other. The man with the greatest tennis greats of all time attaches capital importance to the duels with the Manacor native, fundamental for his career and evolution as a player.

Djokovic at the Ballon d’Or gala (REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq)

Of course, the most striking phrase that Djokovic left about Nadal was the following: “Nadal is a very special player for me. We are not friends, but we have great mutual respect for each other. I hope that when our careers are over we can have a drink on the beach and talk about life.” A true declaration of intentions with a view to, in the future, smoothing out any rough spots that may exist between the two.

2023-10-31 18:37:30
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