Novak Djokovic annuncia la sua partenza dopo aver accusato Rafael Nadal per…
Novak Djokovic has revealed that playing Rafael Nadal at the French Open “made me a better player” as he reflected on facing his greatest rival in Paris.
Reigning French Open champion Djokovic faced ‘King of Clay’ Nadal 10 times at Roland Garros, with an 11th meeting looking unlikely, – as doubts circle about whether the Spaniard has played at the tournament for the last time.
The world No 1 and three-time Roland Garros winner is the only player to beat 14-time champion Nadal twice at the tournament, with victories over the Spaniard in the 2015 quarter-final and 2021 semi-final.
Djokovic is the only man in history to win all four Grand Slam events on at least three occasions, though the French Open has been the toughest Slam for him – largely because of Nadal.
The Spaniard beat the 24-time Grand Slam champion in eight of their 10 matches at the tournament, including in three finals: in 2012, 2014, and 2020.
Djokovic moved onto the third round of Roland Garros yesterday, after the defending champion beat Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4 6-1 6-2.
The 24-time major winner added, “My commitment to practice hasn’t gone down. I’m focused pretty much solely on Grand Slams and Olympics this year, and playing for my country.”
Djokovic has had a relatively slow start to the season, having not reached a final so far and Roland Garros is only his seventh tournament of the year.
The Serbian was then asked about his rivalry with Rafael Nadal, after the Spaniard played what could potentially be the final match of his career at Roland Garros on Monday.
“He has been the greatest rival that I ever had,” claimed Djokovic. “Matches against him on clay have frustrated me so much in my career, but they also made me a better player, made me understand what it takes to try to surpass him; try to win at least once or twice at Roland-Garros.
“It’s the highest mountain to climb for me to win Roland-Garros, particularly because of Nadal, because I always have to win against him in order to get to the title. We had some really fantastic matches here.”
