During the Six Kings Slam exhibition tournament in Saudi Arabia in October, Rafael Nadal faced Novak Djokovic in one final showdown. Together with Roger Federer, Djokovic has been one of Nadal’s fiercest rivals throughout his storied career.
In October, shortly after announcing his retirement from professional tennis, the Spanish legend gave an exclusive interview to Diario AS. He discussed his career, his rivals, and the factors that have shaped the dominance of Djokovic and Federer over the years.
Nadal acknowledged Djokovic’s unparalleled consistency and resilience as key to his success. “He’s a player who has managed to maintain a very high level of play and improve every year,” Nadal explained.
“The numbers say he’s the best, which means his level of tennis has also been the best. Moreover, he’s the one who’s stayed furthest away from injuries,” he added. “When you don’t have significant, prolonged injuries, it not only helps you physically but also gives you a mental edge—an absence of fear.”
Nadal about his injuries
Nadal was candid about how injuries impacted his career, especially compared to his rivals. “It’s clear that I’ve missed more opportunities to win Grand Slams than all my rivals due to injuries, but that’s just how it’s been,” Nadal admitted. “I never dwell on the ‘what ifs.’ I’ve had a career I never imagined, and I’m more than happy with it.”
