“My greatest rival is Novak Djokovic,” says Nadal after Federer retired

Rafa Nadal explains why Novak Djokovic is his greatest rival right now

Nadal And Djokovic

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are among the top favorites of the upcoming ATP Finals that will be staged from Sunday in Turin. Both Rafa and Novak participated in the emotional Roger Federer’s farewell in London in September on the occasion of the Laver Cup. With the Swiss Maestro out of competition, Nadal admitted that Djokovic is now his biggest rival.

My greatest rival is Novak Djokovic. After all, he yes is the one who is closest to the number of Grand Slams, with 21. And for all the times we face each other, for our history. Out of all the active players, my most dangerous rival, without a doubt, is Novak,” said Nadal.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are in 2 different groups at the ATP Finals. Novak is with Stefanos Tsitsipas,  Daniil Medvedev,  and Andrey Rublev. Rafa is in the group with Casper Ruud,  Felix Auger Aliassime,  and Taylor Fritz.

Click here for more updates on the ATP Finals.

Rafael Nadal in 2022

Rafael Nadal

12 - 7win/loss

Hard
2-1
Clay
10-6
38 year old
LWLWWWWLLW
2024 Highlights

Currently the world no.2, Nadal played his last match on the 2nd of November when he lost to world no.29 Tommy Paul 3-6 7-6(4) 6-1 in the 2nd round in Paris (draw).

Presently, during this year Nadal has a 38-6 record. Nadal conquered 4 titles in 2022 in Melbourne, Australian Open, Acapulco and French Open. Rafael was the runner-up in Indian Wells.

Nadal
Paris
Nadal's Record
 

Novak Djokovic in 2022

Novak Djokovic

37 - 9win/loss

Hard
15-5
I Hard
1-0
Clay
16-3
Grass
5-1
37 year old
LWWWWWWLWW
2024 Highlights

Now ranked no.8, the Serbian played his last match on the 6th of November when he lost to world no.10 Holger Rune 3-6 6-3 7-5 in the final in Paris (draw).

This season Djokovic has achieved an overall 37-7 record. Djokovic conquered 4 titles in 2022 in Rome, Wimbledon, Tel Aviv and Astana. The Serbian reached the final in Belgrade and in Paris.

Djokovic
Paris
Djokovic's Record

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic played each other 59 times. Their head to head is 30-29 for Djokovic. The last time they played, Rafael Nadal won 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6(4) in the quarter in Paris (French Open) on the 31st of May 2022.

Here are the highlights.