Modern tennis is one of the few sports in which the same players have always dominated in recent years. Indeed, being an individual discipline, it sees not only the most talented but also and above all those who best withstand pressure and are the most demanding with themselves.
In this panorama, it is therefore not surprising that in recent years Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have shared not only the prestige but also the victories of the main tournaments, such as the famous US Open, which is held in New York, in which the Spanish has prevailed four times and Serbian three times in the past decade.
Born in 1986 and 1987 respectively, the two still seem to have the strength and motivation to continue to dominate the scene for a few more years. Now that Roger Federer, for many the greatest tennis player in history, is slowly abdicating also because of a question of age, the native of Mallorca and the native of Belgrade are vying for the top of the ATP ranking, the world body that organizes tennis tournaments for men.
It is no coincidence that Djokovic is currently number one and Nadal is in second place in the aforementioned ranking, as if to claim their absolute preponderance in the modern tennis era.
And so, while the next few months will be primarily intended to prepare for the next Australian Open, a tournament in which the Serbian is the big favorite to win according to the main bets on tennis, the two leaders of this sport will try to relax in the best possible way at their home.
On the one hand, Nadal will spend the winter in Mallorca, a sunny island where he also loves to play golf, while Djokovic will stay in Belgrade amid social and charitable events and other fun activities.
The goal of both, however, is to reach the top level in 2021, with all the expectations of the case. Beyond the preparation for the Australian tournament, which has always been the favorite of the Serbian, who holds the absolute record of eight victories for Arthur Ashe in Melbourne, the season which begins next January could be decisive, especially for the Spaniard.
During the last episode of ATP, Novak Djokovic began by elaborating on the excitement he feels every time he locks the horns with Roger Federer. According to the Serbian, their matches have the quality of transcending the sport itself.
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on their rivalry
“I have played so many exciting games with Roger Federer over the years,” said Novak Djokovic. “It’s exciting every time I step on the pitch against him, it’s very exciting because it kind of goes beyond this game.
It goes beyond sports. Roger Federer, for his part, believes that rivalries are necessary in the sport and claims that they help to widen the audience of tennis.
“I think that in fact the rivalries are very important in the sport, I think that also makes the game more popular,” said Federer. “I think you still need someone who you can have a good rivalry with,” Roger Federer continued.
“With me and with Djokovic, thank goodness I got them, I think we get the best out of each other.”
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