Rafael Nadal has declared his apparent greatest rival, Novak Djokovic, the best men’s tennis player of all-time as he himself approaches retirement. Speaking to AS, Nadal hailed Djokovic for his consistency and ability to improve every year, citing his remarkable longevity and lack of major injuries. “The numbers show he’s the best, which means his tennis has also been the best,” Nadal remarked.
The record of 24 Grand Slam titles, set when he passed Nadal’s 22 and Roger Federer’s 20, only adds weight to his status. Djokovic captured number 24 by winning this year’s French Open, a tournament where, for many years, one man, Nadal, had called home.
Given that many consider Nadal the GOAT, certainly on clay, and Federer a standard-bearer for elegance in the sport, Nadal reflected on his rivalries. “I played with Djokovic more than anyone, but for me, my biggest rival was Federer,” he said, adding that Federer was already one of the best when he began his own career.
Nadal will retire after November’s Davis Cup Final 8, with Spain drawing the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. It marks the end of a bright career and also one of the most special rivalries ever seen in tennis.
