Tennis great Rafael Nadal has declared that Novak Djokovic is undoubtedly the greatest tennis player of all time, citing Djokovic’s staggering statistics and achievements in the sport.
Djokovic recently clinched his 24th grand slam singles title at the US Open, surpassing Nadal by two titles in the Grand Slam race. Additionally, Djokovic boasts a record 39 Masters 1000 titles, three more than Nadal, and has spent a record 392 weeks as the world No. 1, outstripping Roger Federer by 82 weeks. Witness the best tennis game ever with attractive betting odds from Nextbet.
Nadal, speaking to Diario AS, emphasized the undeniable nature of Djokovic’s superior statistics, stating, “I believe that numbers are numbers and statistics are statistics and, in that sense, I think he has better numbers than mine and that is indisputable.”
He continued, “I am not going to be the one who tries, through a personal struggle, to want to be what I am not. What is, is, and what is not, is not. I say this very satisfied with everything I have done.”
Despite Nadal’s gracious acknowledgment of Djokovic’s supremacy in terms of titles and statistics, he highlighted that personal preferences and individual tastes also play a role in defining greatness in tennis. Nadal emphasized that Djokovic’s excellence in the sport is beyond dispute.
Nadal also reflected on his own journey and acknowledged that while Djokovic may have enjoyed better fortune with injuries, such occurrences are a part of the sport. He congratulated Djokovic for his remarkable achievements and stated, “I congratulate him for everything he is achieving, and that does not cause me any type of frustration.”
Regarding his own future in tennis, Nadal confirmed that next season is likely to be his last on the tour. He expressed that he is “pretty convinced” about retiring after next year but left the door slightly ajar, stating, “If suddenly things are working very well, physically I feel fine, my head usually works normally. If I feel competitive and enjoy what I do, why would I limit myself?”
Currently, Nadal is focused on his preparations for next season, undergoing training and rehab twice a day. However, he acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding his competitive level and potential retirement, emphasizing his desire to play competitively in his final year rather than merely embarking on a farewell tour.
In the midst of these considerations, Nadal remains pragmatic about the possibility that he may not recover fully, admitting, “there is also the possibility that I may not recover and not play again.” Regardless of the outcome, Nadal’s legacy as one of tennis’s all-time greats remains secure. Get the latest updates from the world of tennis only on Nextbet Sports.
