“It looks like he’s never won a major,” John McEnroe believes Rafael Nadal’s hunger has forced Novak Djokovic to become a better player
John McEnroe believes that Rafael Nadal's hunger has made Novak Djokovic a better player.
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Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic headline a relatively strong field at the Australian Open 2023. The latter aims a 22nd Major title in Melbourne, which will help him draw level with Rafael Nadal’s total Grand Slam tally. On the other hand, the Spaniard will look to defend his title at the Rod Laver Arena, after he claimed the title in the most extraordinary manner last year.
Speaking ahead of the Australian Open 2023, American tennis legend, John McEnroe lavished praise on Rafael Nadal. The former tennis player believes that the 36-year-old’s hunger to keep winning has pushed his rivals, especially Novak Djokovic to become a better player. McEnroe believes that the 22-time Major champion has the perfect mix of qualities, which has contributed in his success over the years.
“The greatest single quality an athlete can have is that hunger, and no matter how successful you are, just being willing to do the hard yards and the work it requires to even give yourself a chance, and Rafa does that better than anyone. He keeps a humbleness and a cockiness at the same time, which is a tricky thing to manoeuvre, and he does an incredible job of that,” McEnroe said to Eurosport.
“It looks like every point he plays is the last point he will ever play,” John McEnroe on Rafael Nadal
John McEnroe further claimed that Rafael Nadal gives his 100% in every point he plays. Despite winning 22 Majors, his competitiveness and passion for the game has remained the same over the years. McEnroe revealed that he teaches the kids at his academy to instill; a fighting spirit like the Spaniard.
“With the players and anyone that watches the sport, you look at the guy and go, ‘oh god, how can that guy want it so much still, it looks like he’s never won a major. It looks like every point he plays is the last point he will ever play. I try to teach that to my kids at my academy every day: if you go out and do that, good things will happen, and he’s the greatest example ever,” he added.
Furthermore, John McEnroe believes that Rafael Nadal has made Novak Djokovic a better player, given that he does not want the Serb to pass him in the GOAT race. The American stated that Roger Federer benefitted from the rivalry as well, given that he did win a couple of majors in the last part of his career.
“He’s forced Novak to give more, and he’s better because of it, and then Novak has helped Rafa get better because he doesn’t want Novak to go by him, and that helped Roger, so this was a beautiful thing to watch for the last 10, 15 years,” said McEnroe.
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Nirmit Mehta
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