Rafael Nadal is set to make his comeback at the ATP Masters 1000 in Indian Wells, where he may come face to face with his long-time rival, Novak Djokovic. The 22-time Grand Slam champion recently shared his thoughts on the greatest of all time (GOAT) debate during an interview with El Objetivo. In a surprising turn of events, Nadal crowned Djokovic as the best player ever, showering him with praise. It appears that Nadal is attempting to mend his relationship with Djokovic after a period of tension between the two.
According to Nadal, the numbers speak for themselves – Djokovic is the greatest in the history of the sport. Nadal believes that Djokovic’s public image doesn’t accurately reflect his true character. Despite his occasional outbursts on the court, Djokovic always bounces back and gives his all in the next point. This is why he has achieved the most in the history of tennis, according to Nadal. These words from Nadal, a true champion, mark the end of a few weeks filled with strained relations between him, Federer, and Djokovic due to their mutual statements.
In a recent interview with the Times, Djokovic opened up about his relationship with Nadal and Federer. He expressed that in famous sporting rivalries, there is usually room for only two individuals, not three. He used the example of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in soccer. Djokovic understands that this may be one of the reasons why he is often left out of the conversation. He admitted that from the beginning of his career, his goal has always been to consistently surpass Federer and Nadal. Djokovic’s confidence and determination have made him a polarizing figure, with some admiring his attitude and others criticizing him for it.
Djokovic also reflected on his attempts to connect with people, especially in places where Federer and Nadal were adored the most. However, he realized that there were factors beyond his control that prevented him from receiving the same level of support. This led him to question whether he should continue trying to win people over or accept the situation and move on. In a previous interview with CBS News’ 60 Minutes, Djokovic acknowledged that he and his rivals haven’t had a close relationship off the court. As competitors, it is difficult to be friends, as sharing personal details can be used against them. Nevertheless, Djokovic expressed his hope for a closer bond in the future, where they can sit, talk, and reflect together.
The recent exchange of words began with an interview where Nadal directly addressed Djokovic’s frustrations. Nadal believed that Djokovic had always felt the pressure of chasing records more intensely than himself. He suggested that it would have been frustrating for Djokovic if he had failed to break the records, which may explain his relentless ambition. Nadal made it clear that while he was ambitious, he also maintained perspective.
In a subsequent interview with AS, Nadal attempted to clarify his stance. He acknowledged that Djokovic has better numbers and statistics, making him the indisputable best in history when it comes to titles. Nadal congratulated Djokovic on his achievements and emphasized that he does not feel any frustration. He stated that he has always acknowledged Djokovic’s greatness, whether he was ahead or behind in terms of Grand Slam titles. Nadal made it clear that he would not engage in a personal struggle to be someone he is not.
Now, it appears that Nadal’s recent comments signal a thaw in the relationship between him and Djokovic.
According to the Source tennisworldusa.org