Rafael Nadal dubs Novak Djokovic as 'the best' and Roger Federer as his biggest rival in tennis
The Spanish tennis legend, who is retiring in November 2024, admitted that Djokovic has earned the accolade with 24 Grand Slams and counting.
Tennis
Who is the best men's tennis player ever? According to Rafael Nadal, that accolade belongs to Novak Djokovic.
The competition between the big three of Nadal, Djokovic, and Roger Federer ensued for decades, as the trio dominated Grand Slam titles and blew away any other competition.
Fans have debated and the players have remained modest, but ahead of his retirement in a month’s time, Nadal has had his say.
In an interview with AS, Nadal said of Djokovic, “He’s a player who has managed to maintain a very high level and improve every year. The numbers show he’s the best, which means his tennis has also been the best.
“And he’s been the most injury-free, which allowed him to maintain his physical, mental, and tennis levels longer than anyone. That’s why he’s the best, and he’s earned it.”
Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slams as of 2024, more than any other man and tied with Margaret Court. He moved ahead of Nadal with 22 and Federer’s 20 by winning the 2023 French Open, the tournament which his Spanish rival relished.
While many fans believe Nadal is the Greatest of All Time (GOAT), especially on clay courts, others point to Federer, who set the standard that others have followed, and Nadal believes the Swiss former player was the most significant opponent of his storied career.
“I’ve played Djokovic more than anyone else, but for me, my biggest rival was Federer”, Nadal explained. “When I came onto the circuit, Federer was already there, and he was the first. In the prime years of my career, it was Roger and Novak. But in those early years, which are so impactful, it was always Roger.
“I think, and I don’t know why, that my rivalries with both of them were more intense than the one they had with each other. I’m not sure why, but I feel like the world sees it that way too. Maybe with Roger, it was because our styles and approaches to the sport were so contrasting. And with Novak, it was an incredible challenge.”
Nadal will retire at the Davis Cup in the Final 8 stage in Malaga, which begins on 19 November with Spain’s quarter-final tie against the Netherlands.