Due to Rafael Nadal’s ferocity in the locker room, Novak Djokovic has acknowledged that the opponent used to terrify him.
With 59 matches played between them thus far, Djokovic and Nadal have the greatest rivalry in tennis. With 30 victories to Nadal’s 29, Djokovic has dominated thus far, and there might not be another meeting between the two due to Nadal’s injury issues.
Regardless of what lies ahead, their rivalry is legendary, in part because of their dissimilar personalities. Djokovic is more analytical than Nadal, who is more physically demanding and sociable.
Although he has produced some of the greatest tennis matches in history, the Spaniard used to be the main reason behind Djokovic’s annoyance with him behind closed doors.
Djokovic expressed his remarks about Nadal in a recent interview and said: “I’m playing Nadal in Roland Garros, and I have his locker next to my locker. So we’re so close. We’re trying to give each other space, but that locker room is also not that big. When you jump around like Nadal does before we go out on the court, in the locker room, he’s doing sprints next to you.”
He added: “I can even hear the music he’s listening to in his headphones. You know, it was pissing me off. Earlier in my career, I didn’t realize how all of that was part of the scenario. I was getting intimidated by that. But it’s also motivating me to do stuff myself and to show that I’m ready for a battle, for a war.”
While there has always been a strong rivalry between Djokovic and Nadal, it is also quite respectful. As the rivalry draws to a close, players become more peaceful, just like in nearly all outstanding occasional rivalries. Even though Djokovic and Nadal acknowledge that there isn’t a true friendship behind it all, it’s the same with them.
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Rafael Nadal in 2023
At the moment ranked no.668, the Spaniard played his last match on the 18th of January when he was defeated by world no.41 Mackenzie Mcdonald 6-4 6-4 7-5 in the 2nd round of the Australian Open (draw).
Until now, during this year Nadal has a compiled 1-3 match record.
Novak Djokovic in 2023
WLWWWWWWWW Ranked no.1, the Serbian played his last match on the 25th of November when he lost to world no.4 Jannik Sinner 6-2 2-6 7-5 in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).
This season the Serbian has managed to achieve a composed 56-7 record. Novak clinched 7 titles in 2023 in Adelaide, Australian Open, French Open, Cincinnati, U.S. Open, Paris and the Nitto ATP Finals. The Serbian was the finalist in Wimbledon.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic clashed against each other 59 times. Their current head to head is 30-29 for Djokovic. The last time they played each other, Rafael Nadal won 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6(4) in the quarter in Paris (French Open) in May 2022.
In the video below you can watch the highlights.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic |
| Embed from Getty Images |
