Rafael Nadal acknowledges Novak Djokovic as the perfect tennis participant ‘in historical past’

In an interview with Spanish newspaper AS, Rafael Nadal acknowledged up to date Novak Djokovic as the best tennis participant of all time. Nadal’s feedback come months after Djokovic broke his Grand Slam titles report on the French Open in June and weeks after Djokovic earned his twenty fourth profession main trophy within the US Open.

In making his argument, Nadal led off by saying that it was “indeniable” that Djokovic had higher statistics than him earlier than making it clear that he wouldn’t let his personal profession and ego get in the way in which of acknowledging the profession that Djokovic has had.

“I do not drop any rings nor do I’ve an ego sufficiently big to attempt to disguise a actuality that’s not. That is the reality,” Nadal stated (translated from Spanish). “The remainder are tastes, inspiration, sensations that one or the opposite might transmit to you, that you might like one or the opposite extra. I feel that with respect to titles, Djokovic is the perfect in historical past and there may be nothing to argue about that.

“… I congratulate you for the whole lot you are attaining and that doesn’t trigger me any sort of frustration. I’ve stated it once I was the one who gained essentially the most Slams, I stated it after we have been tied and I say it now that I’m behind. I’m not going to be the one who tries, via a private wrestle, to wish to be what I’m not. What’s, is and what’s not, will not be. I say this very glad with the whole lot I’ve finished.”

Whereas Djokovic, Nadal, and Roger Federer have lengthy battled amongst one another to be the world’s No. 1-ranked participant, Djokovic has begun to differentiate himself from his two contemporaries when it comes to his profession achievements. Past merely the Grand Slam titles report, Djokovic has additionally gained 39 Masters 1000 titles and has triumphed in every of tennis’ second-tier tournaments at the very least twice.

Djokovic’s surpassing of Nadal has come as Nadal has spent the previous a number of years battling accidents. After withdrawing from the French Open because of a hip damage, Nadal said in Could that he intends to retire after the 2024 season.