Roger Federer Or Novak Djokovic? Rafael Nadal Has A Clear Pick For 'Best Player In History'

15.02.2024 - 13:41 sports.ndtv.com

Rafael Nadal on Wednesday hailed longtime rival Novak Djokovic as the best player in the history of the sport. "The numbers say yes, for me yes (he is the best in history)," Nadal said in an interview with El Objective de La Sexta when asked "who is the best?" Djokovic has 24 Grand Slam titles having surpassed Nadal's 22 when he captured last year's French Open.

Despite that success, the controversial world number one from Serbia still struggles to translate his on-court triumphs into off-court popularity. "The image he projects is worse than he really is; I think he's a good person," added Nadal. "There are moments of frustration.

Novak breaks his racquet, but the next point he is ready to play at 100% again and it is the best I have ever seen." Nadal, 37, has been battling injury and missed virtually all of 2023.

He was hurt again last month before sitting out the Australian Open. With his career winding down, Nadal hailed compatriot and heir Carlos Alcaraz who is already a two-time major winner at the age of 20. "Carlos has an incredible level of tennis, he is a super complete player in every sense," said Nadal. "I don't see weaknesses in him like the ones I had at his age.

tennis player Roger Federer Rafael Nadal Carlos Alcaraz Novak Djokovic France Serbia Australia

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal warmed up for the ATP Indian Wells Masters on Sunday with a lively exhibition in Las Vegas won by Alcaraz 3-6, 6-4, 14-12. The contest at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, carried live by streaming service Netflix, was a chance for both Spanish stars to test their fitness. Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, missed most of last year with a hip injury sustained at the Australian Open. He made his comeback at the Brisbane International in January before a small muscle tear forced the 37-year-old to pull out of this season's first Grand Slam in Melbourne.

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For the first time since January's Australian Open, the men's and women's tennis tours will be in the same place at the same time for the Indian Wells Masters.

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LOS ANGELES : Novak Djokovic returns to Indian Wells for the first time in five years seeking a record sixth title while Coco Gauff looks to become the first U.S. woman to win the tournament since Serena Williams in 2001 when main-draw action begins on Wednesday.

Alcaraz outlasts Nadal in made-for-Netflix exhibition

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal warmed up for the ATP Indian Wells Masters on Sunday with a lively exhibition in Las Vegas won by Alcaraz 3-6, 6-4, 14-12.

Nadal hopes to leave Indian Wells unscathed with focus on claycourt season

Rafa Nadal said he hopes to avoid any injury setbacks at Indian Wells so he can be fully fit for the upcoming claycourt season in what could be his final year on the ATP Tour.

Andy Murray Again Hints At Impending Retirement

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