Italian Tennis Federation President Angelo Binaghi has lavished massive praise on Rafael Nadal, picking aspects of his personality that make him better than both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Binaghi, in fact, regards the Spaniard as the ‘best’ tennis player he has ever come cross in his career.
After a career that lasted two decades, Nadal finally hung up his racket in 2024, appearing one last time at the Davis Cup. He retired with 22 Grand Slams to his name, the second-most by any man in the Open Era, only behind Djokovic (24).
Speaking to La Nuova Sardegna in a recent interview, Binaghi paid tribute to the gentlemanly aspects of his personality, hailing his politeness and kindness that endears the Mallorcan to fans.
The Italian went on, stating that even Federer, widely regarded for his sportsmanship, did not embody the same kindness and sympathy that Nadal did. As for Djokovic, while Binaghi admitted that the Serb might be the greatest tennis player of all-time, he was second-best to Nadal when it came to sporting spirit and a more ‘human depth.’
“Rafael Nadal is the best of all, by far, especially off the court. In 24 years I have crossed paths with him many times, between tournaments. And Nadal is really a special tennis player, a true gentleman, polite, loved by fans, someone who has given a lot to tennis and has enthralled generations,” he said.
fael Nadal is the best of all, by far, especially off the court. In 24 years I have crossed paths with him many times, between tournaments. And Nadal is really a special tennis player, a true gentleman, polite, loved by fans, someone who has given a lot to tennis and has enthralled generations,” he said.
“In my opinion even more than Federer, who in person, in my experience, does not have the same kindness and sympathy as Nadal. And I say the same about Djokovic. He is undoubtedly the strongest player in the world, but in my opinion he does not have the sporting and human depth of Nadal,” he added.
