Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal together! Here’s how it happened

Between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, the now viral picture has won 46 singles Grand Slam titles.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal together! Here’s how it happened

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic (Source: @djkoernole/ Instagram)

The most unexpected thing happened in the tennis world tonight as Novak Djokovic posted a picture of him and Rafael Nadal on a plane. Apparently, they happened to meet each other on the business class of a flight to Los Angeles for the upcoming 2024 Indian Wells. Both players will be participating in the tournament. 

The picture was highly ironic because, while Djokovic and Nadal fans are busy fighting against each other on the internet to prove that the player they support is the greatest of all time, they are sharing a plane to their next tournament. 

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Great company on the way to USA. 
Novak Djokovic wrote in the caption of the selfie of him and Rafael Nadal

As far as Rafael Nadal is concerned, the Indian Wells will be his second tournament of 2024. He finally made his much-awaited comeback at the Brisbane International after a year-long break due to the hip injury that he suffered at the 2023 Australian Open. Unfortunately, his comeback was short-lived, as he once again suffered a muscle issue during his quarterfinal match against Jordan Thompson. 

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As a result, he had to withdraw from the Australian Open. The Spaniard was supposed to participate in the Doha Open, but sadly, he had not fully recovered by then and will now directly play in the Indian Wells. 

Novak Djokovic, on the other hand, will be playing in the Indian Wells after five long years. He last took part in the tournament back in 2019 and after that, the USA’s rule of not allowing unvaccinated visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic did not permit him to enter the nation. The rule was lifted last spring and thus, here he is, preparing to take part in the 2024 Indian Wells. 

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s records at the Indian Wells

Both Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are pretty successful at Indian Wells. Rafael Nadal won the tournament thrice in 2007, 2009, and 2013, respectively. Novak Djokovic, on the other hand, has won the tournament five times (joint most alongside Roger Federer) – in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2016. 

Rafael Nadal (L), Novak Djokovic (R)
Rafael Nadal (L), Novak Djokovic (R) (Sources: IMAGO)

While not much is expected of Nadal, it must be remembered that he was the runner-up of the 2022 Indian Wells, which was the last edition of the tournament that he took part in. Although he is out of form, one can never sleep on the 22-time Grand Slam winner, and that’s a fact. However, it will pretty much be a practice tournament for him ahead of the clay season, which is Nadal’s ultimate target for 2024. 

The two of them have played 59 matches against each other. Djokovic has won 30 of those matches and Nadal has won 29. If they end up facing each other at Indian Wells, it will be the ultimate matchup of the tournament. 

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