Novak Djokovic has admitted that his greatest rival Rafael Nadal is “not really my friend” but would like to “have a drink on the beach” with him following their retirement.
Djokovic will be returning to action at the Paris Masters this week, after taking a month away from the tennis tour. He last played at the Davis Cup Finals group stage in Malaga last month.
Talking to a French TV show “C a vous”, the 24-time Grand Slam champion expressed his hope that he and Nadal “can have a drink on the beach” and “talk about life” once they are done with the sport.
The duo create statistically one of sport’s greatest rivalries, having faced each other a remarkable 59 times across nets – a record in men’s tennis. Djokovic holds a 30-29 lead over the Spaniard in the clashes that have spread over a 16-year period from 2006 to 2022.
Both Djokovic and Nadal are the two players with the most men’s major titles in history. The legendary Serbian won a record-extending 24th major at the US Open earlier in September while Nadal completed his 22nd slam at the 2022 Roland Garros.
At Paris this week, Djokovic is also pairing with compatriot Miomir Kecmanovic in doubles as the pair will take on Jannik Sinner and Stan Wawrinka in the opener on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Nadal has announced a possible return to the tour and is targeting the 2024 Australian Open after undergoing a surgery on a hip injury that forced him to miss most part of 2023 season.
Djokovic who has always remained open about his views, discussed his relationship with Mallorcan rival while talking to the French broadcaster.
“Rafael Nadal is a very special player for me, he’s not really my friend but we have respect for each other. I hope that after our career, we can have a drink on the beach, talk about life,” declared the Serbian.
The world no. 1 discussed a Nadal-less Roland Gaross where the 37-year-old was not seen for the first time since 2004 due to unhealed psoas tear he incurred at the Australian Open R2.
“A lot of people retired him already 10 years ago but he kept going, which is something I respect and admire. I know how hard it is to maintain that level and keep going even after having a tough injury,” Djokovic said in a press conference.
“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 [in 2024], I felt part of me is leaving with him too. 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 great motivational factor for me to keep playing and keep competing and keep pushing each other – who’s going achieve more, who’s going to do better.”