Novak Djokovic expects Rafael Nadal to fully be a contender for Grand Slam titles despite critics ruling out the Spaniard ahead of his comeback

Rafael Nadal is all set to make his comeback to tennis after almost a year long absence from the sport.

Novak Djokovic expects Rafael Nadal to fully be a contender for Grand Slam titles despite critics ruling out the Spaniard ahead of his comeback

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal ( Credits: Imago)

As the 22-time Grand Slam champion, Rafael Nadal is all set to make a comeback to the sport after almost a year of staying out of action, critics have ruled out the possibility of the Spaniard winning a Grand Slam title in what might be possibly his last season tour.

However, his long-time rival and current World No.1, Novak Djokovic believes otherwise. The Serbian legend completely disagrees with critics and is of the strong opinion that the 14-time French Open champion will still be a huge and fierce competitor to him in the race for Grand Slams coming into the 2024 season. Adding further, the 24-time Grand Slam champion stated during his interaction with the media:

I always expect him to give the best of himself. Some have often stated that he has been close to the end, as they have done for me. But we proved them wrong.
Novak Djokovic on Rafael Nadal
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The reigning US Open champion is quite confident that the Spaniard is training quite extensively and rigorously with the aim of competing at the highest level and winning a Grand Slam in the upcoming season. He has stated how his age and the closing phase of his career are no barriers for him and that he has the potential to prove the critics wrong just as he did in the past too.

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Speaking further about Rafael Nadal’s chances in the 2024 season, Novak Djokovic further added:

He is not the type to come back to the circuit just to play, let's say, at an average level, to play a few games. He wants to win titles, he wants to be the best, that's why he is what he is: a legend of our sport. I am sure that his training and preparations are done with the intention of winning a Grand Slam.
Novak Djokovic on Rafael Nadal’s chances

Rafael Nadal aims to make a strong comeback for one last time

The Spanish legend has been missing in action for over a year now. He pulled out of the 2023 Australian Open citing injury troubles and had failed to recover ever since.

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal ( Credits: Marca.com)

However, just recently, the former World No.1 gave some good news to his fans after he confirmed his participation in the Brisbane Open early next year as he aims to make a solid comeback for one last time in his career.

The Spaniard has time and again mentioned how this may be his farewell season on tour. Explaining his priorities further, Rafael Nadal also clarified how he is just happy to be able to compete at the highest level and win a Grand Slam, especially the Roland Garros is not in his mind right now as he knows his position on the court. However, he also expressed his desire to represent his nation at the 2024 Paris Olympics alongside fellow tennis player and countryman, Carlos Alcaraz.

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