At 36 years old, Novak Djokovic is one of the greatest tennis players in the world. He has received numerous awards since the start of his career, and he has nothing to envy of his eternal opponent, Rafael Nadal. If they have the same passion for tennis, do the two athletes get along well? Monday October 30, 2023, the one who was the first tennis player to have won three Grand Slam tournaments in a row, four times, was invited to the set of C to youon France 5. The opportunity to talk about Rafael Nadal. “In general, we played a lot of magnificent, historic matches. He is a very special player for me, for my whole career and my development as a player“, he confided. Patrick Cohen then wanted to know more about their relationship. “We’re not really friends. We have a lot of respect for each other.”Novak Djokovic said, before slipping: “Afterwards, we can hope… To speak on my behalf, individually, I hope that after career, we can have a drink on a beach to talk about lifewith a little less stress and expectations.”
Novak Djokovic: “I have always respected and admired him”
Tuesday October 10, 2023, for the Serbian site Sportalthe man who made an improbable deal with Nick Kyrgios had already said all the good things he thought of his eternal adversary. “Rafa is a great champion and I respect and appreciate him as such – as a great champion, my greatest rival and as a player who helped shape my game and the results I achieved. I don’t intend to speak negatively about him or Roger Federer. My respect for them outweighs any negative opinions I might have.”, he declared. On June 11, 2023, on the set of Tennis Channel, Novak Djokovic felt that Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer had defined the player he was. However, he would not be friends with them. May 16, 2023, for the Italian newspaper Corriere della Serahe had in fact indicated, regarding the Spanish tennis player: “At first, we went to dinner together, several times. But, even with him, friendship was impossible. I have always respected and admired him. It is thanks to him, and Roger Federer, that I grew up and became what I am. This will unite us forever, which is why I am grateful to them. Rafael Nadal is part of my life. Over the past 15 years, I saw him more than my mother.“