“More than Djokovic,” Rafael Nadal lays bare his “emotions” watching Roger Federer take over the court as Djokovic fans feel snubbed

Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic have remained arch-rivals ever since the starting days of their professional careers on the ATP Tour. While Federer and Nadal have shared a friendly bond both on and off the court, Serbian Djokovic has always remained the Spaniard’s arch-nemesis, despite encountering challenges from several top competitors in the sport.

Most recently, Rafa addressed Djokovic’s claims of feeling intimidated by the 37-year-old star during their past French Open contests and further likened Federer’s impact on him.

Djokovic and Nadal have squared off 18 times at Grand Slam events, showcasing 10 such meetings at the clay-court major, where the Spaniard holds an 8-2 winning record over the 36-year-old Serb. 

While the former World No. 1 holds a dominant record over Novak Djokovic, the latter remains the sole player to have downed the Spaniard twice at the Paris event.

While talking in a recent interview on CBS 60 Minutes, the Serbian recalled his ‘intimidating’ locker room experience with Rafael Nadal in Paris. Subsequently, the 36-year-old’s comments drew a reaction out of Nadal, prompting him to address Nole’s candid admission.

In his response, the Spaniard claimed that he never wished to intimidate anyone and further went on to highlight ‘Swiss Maestro’ Roger Federer’s positive influence on him. 

It was never, never, never my intention [to intimidate]. I warm up like that, trying to be prepared and ready to go, and I work out, nothing more. I haven’t heard what he said, honestly. 

Said Rafael Nadal to Spanish publication El Pais via X/Twitter.

Since I have a memory of tennis, Federer is the player who has impressed me the most, the one who has entertained me the most, the one who has moved me the most. Watching Federer play has moved me more than Djokovic, and in the end, tennis is about emotion; it’s the emotion that draws you to it. 

He further added

Former World No. 1 Nadal was missing in action for the entirety of the 2023 season after he sustained a reoccurring hip injury during a performance in the second round of the season’s Australian Open.

Rafael Nadal sheds light on Novak Djokovic’s unnoticeable changes to his gameplay

Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal, in the same interview, addressed Novak Djokovic’s unchanged gameplay over the years. The 37-year-old asserted that while the latter has made uniform changes to his virtues, he hasn’t made any drastic improvements to his game style.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion also equated his battles against Roger Federer to a “chess game”, outlining the duo’s mental awareness and intentions about their next move on the court.

He (Novak Djokovic) has greatly enhanced his virtues, but he has not adapted his game radically. To play against Federer I had a very clear tactic. He knew what I was going to look for. I knew he would try to defend himself. It was a chess game. And when you were wrong, you knew it. 

He said

Nadal is currently participating at the 2024 Brisbane International, where he is scheduled to take on Dominic Thiem in the event’s Round of 32 on Monday, December 1.

In case you missed it:

• “He is not from this planet”- Novak Djokovic receives only love from the tennis world after his hilarious attempt to speak to his Chinese fans goes viral
• WATCH: Casper Ruud’s family swag their way into a runway walk but only to end in embarrassment at the United Cup 2024

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