On several occasions in recent weeks, Novak Djokovic has answered questions about the next edition of the Parisian Grand Slam by designating Rafael Nadal as his greatest rival.
The Serbian champion has a deep and sincere esteem for the Mallorcan and, before Nadal announced his withdrawal from the French Open, he always mentioned his great rival when building his list of favorites at Roland-Garros
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“Favorites at Roland Garros? It all depends on Rafael Nadal. Carlos Alcaraz deserves all the success and brings new energy and a new personality. My biggest rival, however, remains Nadal“, Nole said a few days ago.
The Serb was not the only one. Carlos Alcaraz and Holger Rune, for example, also bet on the recovery of the Spaniard. A matter of respect that Nadal himself showed he appreciates, during the press conference during which he announced that he would not participate in Roland Garros and that 2024 could be his last year on the circuit.
Rafa explained: “I am the reigning champion, I won 14 times in Paris. That’s why they said I was always the man to beat. Many hoped that I would play. But that’s a historical feeling, not a current one.
I had two big rivals: Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Roger has now stopped, it is normal that Nole considers me his main rival. Roland Garros 2023? I will live it like everyone else.
I don’t think he’ll watch the whole tournament, but I’ll follow him.” The clay season, at least so far, hasn’t given Djokovic great satisfaction. The Serb reached the quarter-finals in Banja Luka and Internazionali BNL d’Italia, where he lost to Dusan Lajovic and Holger Rune respectively, and stopped in the third round of the Masters 1000 of Monte-Carlo.
He hopes to find his best level in Paris: the Grand Slam tournaments are his real goal.
2023-05-19 23:03:37
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