When Rafael Nadal rejoins the tennis circuit in the upcoming year, Novak Djokovic’s coach, Goran Ivanisevic, already believes he poses a threat. The coach asserted that if the Spaniard wasn’t prepared to return to his peak form, he wouldn’t be making a run at the title. Ivanisevic is also excited for Djokovic and Nadal to carry on their rivalry for another year.
Nadal sustained an injury during the Australian Open, which has kept him out of action. He ended his clay season early after making no progress and had hip surgery afterward. Since then, the 37-year-old has returned to the practice court and increased his intensity, with the goal of making a comeback in 2024.
Even though the 22-time Grand Slam champion has played down his expectations and acknowledged he is unsure of his level of competition, Ivanisevic thinks Nadal will be a threat in the French Open, which is his most successful tournament.
Ivanisevic revealed this during a conversation and said: “I am convinced that Nadal will be good. He would not come back if he did not feel ready, and I am convinced that he will be dangerous in Roland Garros.”
Novak Djokovic in 2023
Currently ranked no.1, Djokovic played his last match on the 15th of September when he defeated world no.26 Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3 6-4
in the Rubber 2 of the Davis Cup (draw).Currently, during this season the Serbian achieved a composed 46-5 win-loss record. The Serbian clinched 5 titles in 2023 in Adelaide, Australian Open, French Open, Cincinnati and U.S. Open. Novak got to the final in Wimbledon.
Djokovic has scheduled to compete next in Paris (Rolex Paris Masters). He will begin to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 30th of October.
Rafael Nadal in 2023
Now the world no.242, Nadal played his last match on the 18th of January when he was overcome by world no.42 Mackenzie Mcdonald 6-4 6-4 7-5 in the 2nd round of the Australian Open (draw).
At the moment, during this season the Spaniard has an overall 1-3 win-loss record.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal squared off 59 times. Their record is 30-29 for Djokovic. Previously, 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 following video you can watch the highlights.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal |
| Embed from Getty Images |