Djokovic: “I’m sure that Nadal’s training and preparation is done with an intention to win a Grand Slam”

Prior to exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz in Riyadh on Wednesday, Novak Djokovic spoke about arch-rival Rafael Nadal’s comeback

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal at 2020 Roland-Garros Image Credit: JB Autissier / Panoramic

Mathieu Canac

December 28, 2023

Haresh Ramchandani

“I think it would be nice for the sport to have at least one more match between Nadal and me. That’s the biggest rivalry in terms of the number of matches played that this sport ever had. Hopefully that can happen.”

These were the words of Novak Djokovic in a press conference at the ATP Finals, when Rafael Nadal confirmed his return to the tour in 2024. In the event of another clash between the two players who have won the most Grand Slams in the history of men’s tennis, (Djokovic with 24 vs Nadal with 22), the Serb does not expect a cakewalk.

“I always expect him (Nadal) to play at his best, to be honest,” said Djokovic. “Many times, they’ve signed him out, they’ve done that with me as well. But we’ve proved them wrong. He’s not a kind of a player that will come back to the tour just to play – let’s say – on a medium level, play a few matches. He wants to win titles, he wants to be the best, that’s why he is who he is: a legend of our sport. I’m sure that his training and preparation is done with an intention to win a Grand Slam.”

Nadal vs Djokovic – EPISODE 60 in the first round of the Australian Open.. It’s possible!!

Nadal has been off the tour since losing in the second round of the 2023 Australian Open to Mackenzie McDonald due to a hip injury. For his comeback, he has entered the Brisbane tournament in the first week of the new season.

Djokovic, on the other hand, plans to start the 2024 season by representing Serbia at the ATP Cup, before defending his title at the Australian Open, where he could possibly meet Nadal as early as the first round.

Currently ranked 670th in the world, the left-hander has used the protected ranking rule to enter the Australian Open and is therefore unseeded. The Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic series, the most prolific in the history of men’s tennis, has already had 59 episodes (Djokovic leads 30-29) and the 60th could possibly even be in the very first round.