Rafael Nadal showered praise on his long-standing rival Novak Djokovic, hailing him as the most exceptional player in the history of tennis in a recent interview with El Objective de La Sexta on Wednesday.
When questioned about who he considers the best, Nadal responded unequivocally, stating, “The numbers say yes, for me yes (he is the best in history).”
Djokovic’s tally of 24 Grand Slam titles, surpassing Nadal’s 22 with his victory at last year’s French Open, solidifies his claim to greatness.
Djokovic’s dominance on the court, however, his off-court image has been marred by controversy, leading to struggles in gaining widespread popularity. Nadal offered a perspective shift, expressing his belief that Djokovic is, in reality, a good person despite the negative portrayal.
Nadal highlighted Djokovic’s remarkable ability to rebound from moments of frustration, citing his resilience and readiness to compete at peak performance after setbacks, such as breaking his racquet during matches.
At 37 years old and grappling with recurring injuries that sidelined him for much of 2023 and forced him to withdraw from the recent Australian Open, Nadal acknowledged the twilight of his own career. He also took the opportunity to laud the rising talent of his compatriot and successor, Carlos Alcaraz.
Alcaraz, at just 20 years old, has already secured two major titles, impressing Nadal with his comprehensive skill set and apparent absence of weaknesses that Nadal himself faced at a similar age.
Nadal expressed confidence in Alcaraz’s potential for a remarkable career, emphasizing his belief in the young player’s abilities to leave a lasting mark on the sport.
Reported By AFP.
