Rafael Nadal opened up on his relationship with fellow superstar Novak Djokovic, who previously claimed that it was “impossible” to be friends with the Spanish legend
Rafael Nadal admitted he has a strong relationship with Novak Djokovic, despite the Serbian once saying it was ‘impossible’ for the two to be friends.
Nadal, Djokovic, and fellow icon Roger Federer dominated tennis for nearly two decades. With Federer already retired and Nadal following suit in 2024, 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic is the last one standing.
Djokovic has often been viewed as the outsider among the ‘Big Three’, as he rose to prominence later than his rivals and spent years catching up.
As they aged, Nadal and Federer developed a close friendship off the court, while Djokovic seemed less close to his competitors, reports the Express.
However, Nadal claimed last year that he also shares a strong bond with Djokovic, even if the Serbian tennis star doesn’t feel the same way.
When asked about maintaining his friendship with Federer off the court before his imminent retirement, Nadal told DAZN last year: “Of course with Roger it has been special but with Novak too, I have a good relationship.”
The 22-time Grand Slam champion attributed his ability to get along with his rivals to their shared values, adding: “It’s the way that you approach the sport.
“I think that’s possible because at the end, we understand that it’s only a game. In life, we have many more important things outside of tennis.
“At the end of the day, if you have a good relationship with the colleagues, with the people who are next to you or with the people in general, without a doubt, in my experience, you will be happier. So at the end, tennis is only a game, relationships go beyond that.”
Despite this philosophy, Djokovic seems to hold a slightly different view about his relations with Nadal, as he once shared with Corriere Della Sera: “Even with him [Nadal], friendship is impossible. I have always respected and greatly admired him.”
While expressing appreciation for his competition with Nadal, the Olympic gold medalist elucidated: “We have never been friends. Between rivals, it is not possible, but we have never been enemies.”
Djokovic’s opinions did evolve after this remark in 2023. The Serb appeared at Nadal’s final match and was present at this year’s French Open as Nadal was given a Roland Garros farewell ceremony, having dominated its clay courts for years.
At 38, Djokovic continues to display a remarkable and near-robotic athleticism on the ATP Tour, and is into another Grand Slam semi-final in Paris, where he will play Jannik Sinner.
No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev has already fallen to the Serb’s might so far at Roland Garros, as has California’s Mackenzie McDonald, who was demolished 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 in the first round.
