Previously, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer might have given Novak Djokovic a tough time on the tennis court. But now that Nadal is struggling with injury and has seen Djokovic beat his record several times, it prompted him to say in a recent interview that Djokovic feels more intensely about leading in the Grand Slam race.
But rather than worrying about the comment, Djokovic has denounced all such claims. With a fiery form, Novak had a wonderful year full of accomplishments to back him as well.
Djokovic denies Ndal’s assertion of intensity in Grand Slam pursuit
Novak Djokovic has responded to Rafael Nadal’s claim that he ‘feels more intensely’ about leading the Grand Slam race, with the Serb strongly denying the claim. According to Tennishead, Djokovic trailed Nadal at the start of the year, with the Spaniard leading the men’s major records with 22 titles to his name. However, after triumphing at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and the US Open this year, Djokovic has leapfrogged and moved two Grand Slams ahead of his biggest rival.
In early September, Rafael Nadal had an interview with Movistar+, in which he implied that Djokovic cared more about the record books than himself. Nadal said, “I think Novak feels more intensely [about] this than I do. Had he not achieved it, it may have been a bigger frustration for him. Maybe that is why he did it. I think he has had the ability to take ambition to the maximum. I think I’ve been ambitious too but a bit healthier, which allowed me to see things in a different way.”
And now Novak Djokovic has responded to Nadal’s ‘viral’ comments, saying, “I’ve seen that his comments went viral, that many people spoke about it. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, how he interprets someone else in a certain context etc.”
The world No. 1 continued, “That’s all I can say. Rafa is a great champion and I respect and appreciate him as such – as a great champion, my biggest rival and as a player who contributed to shaping my game and to results I’ve accomplished.”
“I have no intention of speaking in a negative light about him or Roger Federer – my respect towards them supersedes some negative opinions I might have. Again, that’s Rafa’s opinion and I, of course, don’t agree. I have my opinion, but I won’t share it as I don’t want us to go deeper into that. There is no need for that,” Djokovic added.
Nadal has been absent from three of the four majors this year due to a psoas injury, but he looks set to return at the Australian Open 2024.
When did Novak Djokovic win his first Grand Slam?
Novak Djokovic turned professional in October 2003. In 2008, at age 20, Djokovic disrupted Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s streak of 11 consecutive majors by winning his first major title at the Australian Open.
Since then, the Serbian has not looked back. Winning the US Open 2023 triumph saw him match Margaret Court’s Open era record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles. He also holds the record for most Slam final appearances with 36, two clear of Chris Evert’s previous record.
As well as his spectacular achievements in Slams, Djokovic has a record 39 ATP Masters 1000 titles, with Olympic gold being the only honor to elude him.
How many more Grand Slams do you think Novak Djokovic would win before hanging up his racket? Tell us your predictions in the comments section.
