“Greatest althlete in the modern era,” US Rep Claudia Tenney stands firm beside Novak Djokovic snubbing a ‘disappointing’ Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal has drawn negative feedback from the tennis world recently. He has earned the opposing stance of the United States representative for New York’s 24th congressional district, Claudia Tenney, with due to his recent controversial comments regarding Serbian tennis professional Novak Djokovic.

The Spaniard recently made a comeback to the tour with his participation in the 2024 Brisbane International. Rafa was forced to stay away from the courts for almost a year due to a reoccurring hip injury he sustained during his 2023 Australian Open run.

While talking in a recent interview with the Spanish publication ‘El Pais’, Rafael Nadal touched on a variety of subjects, including his return to the tour, his take on defeat, and his insight on compatriot Carlos Alcaraz. However, it was the 37-year-old’s remarks on his arch-rivals, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, that amassed negative feedback.

While the 22-time Grand Slam champion talked highly of his famed rivalry with ‘Swiss Maestro’ Federer, the former downplayed Djokovic’s prominent role in the sport and further cut off the Serb’s legs in the highly anticipated GOAT run. Consequently, the Spaniard’s candid confession elicited a reaction from US congresswoman Claudia Tenney, who expressed her disappointment in Nadal’s resentment for Djokovic and lauded the latter for his laudable accomplishments.

Disappointing envy from Nadal. @djokernole is not only the greatest tennis player - EVER - for so many reasons, he’s my choice as the greatest athlete in the modern era. No one else has had the mental toughness and grace to overcome the needless obstacles and petty political tropes hurled at him repeatedly.

Claudia Tenney on X

24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic was most recently witnessed in action at the 2024 United Cup where he made a maiden appearance for his team Serbia. The World No. 1 faced a surprise defeat at the hands of Alex de Minaur in the event’s quarterfinal round against team Australia.

Rafael Nadal shares insight into Novak Djokovic’s unchanged gameplay

Spanish tennis professional Rafael Nadal shared his insight into Novak Djokovic’s unchanged gameplay in the same interview. The Spaniard stated that while the 36-year-old has worked on his strength; he hadn’t evolved his game radically. Nadal also expressed his temperament when playing against Roger Federer compared to the Serb.

He (Novak Djokovic) has greatly enhanced his virtues, but he has not radically adapted his game. 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. With Djokovic there is not that level of strategy in the matches. You have to play at a very high level and for a long time to beat him, it's different.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion is currently performing at the Brisbane International where he claimed a comeback victory over Dominic Thiem in the opening round. The Spaniard will next square off against Jason Kubler for his Round of 16 clash on Thursday, January 4.

In case you missed it:

• “I would choose the gold medal,” Spanish ace Carlos Alcaraz sets his 2024 goals straight before the Australian Open
• “I’ve trained so hard after…,” Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova’s short ‘tennis lifespan’ inspires Naomi Osaka to enjoy it while she can

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