Novak Djokovic jokes that he was relieved when Rafael Nadal withdrew from the French Open however admits it feels part of him will depart too if the Spaniard retires in 2024.
Nadal didn’t regain full health from a hip damage he suffered on the Australian Open in January and the 14-times Roland Garros winner stated 2024 may very well be the final yr of his skilled profession.
Both gamers are tied on a file 22 grand slam titles however Djokovic can inch forward at Roland Garros the place he has managed to beat Nadal solely twice in 10 conferences.
“Honestly, I don’t miss him being in the draw. I don’t like seeing him in the draw of Roland Garros,” Djokovic instructed reporters with amusing forward of the grand slam’s begin on Sunday.
“I have had not so much success against him in our head-to-head record in Roland Garros. I’ve managed to beat him twice, but I had to leave my heart and my guts out on the court to achieve that.
“Lots of people retired him already 10 years in the past however he saved going, which is one thing I respect and admire.
“I know how hard it is to maintain that level and keep going even after having a tough injury.”
Djokovic stated Nadal’s announcement got here as a shock and the 36-year-old praised his rival for bringing out the most effective in him through the years they dominated the game.
“I have to say that he’s my biggest rival. When he announced that he’s going to have his last season of (his) career, I felt part of me is leaving with him too,” he added.
“I feel that he was one of the most impactful people that I have ever had in my career, the growth of my career and me as a player.
“Definitely a terrific motivational issue for me to maintain taking part in and preserve competing and preserve pushing one another – who’s going obtain extra, who’s going to do higher.”
If Nadal does call it quits, Djokovic will be the last of the ‘Big Three’ remaining on tour after Roger Federer retired last year but the Serbian has no plans on hanging up his racquets yet.
“It made me surprise, it made me take into consideration my profession and the way lengthy I’m going to play,” Djokovic stated.
“So far I’m not going to make any announcement as we speak, however simply reflecting on it, I additionally felt just a little bit emotional about what he was saying.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
