PARIS: Novak Djokovic admitted Saturday that when career-long rival Rafael Nadal retires subsequent 12 months “a part of me can be leaving too”.
Djokovic shares the all-time males’s document of 22 Grand Slam titles with Nadal however can break that tie by profitable the French Open for a 3rd time.
Nadal, the 14-time champion in Paris, is sitting out Roland Garros with a hip damage. Together with his 37th birthday quick approaching, the Spaniard has admitted that 2024 will possible be his ultimate 12 months on tour.
“When he introduced that he will have his final season of his profession, I felt a part of me is leaving with him too,” stated Djokovic.
“It made me take into consideration my profession and the way lengthy I’ll play.
“I am not going to make any announcement right this moment, however simply reflecting on it. I felt additionally a little bit bit emotional about what he was saying.”
Djokovic holds a 30-29 profession edge over Nadal however the Spanish star has been the superior pressure at Roland Garros with eight wins within the pair’s 10 conferences.
“I do not like seeing him within the draw of Roland Garros, to be trustworthy,” added Djokovic.
“I’ve had not a lot success towards him in our head-to-head. I’ve managed to beat him twice, however I needed to depart my coronary heart and my guts out on the court docket to attain that.”
Ought to Djokovic add the 2023 French Open title to his wins in 2016 and 2021, he won’t solely break the Grand Slam tie with Nadal within the males’s document books.
He would additionally go stage with Serena Williams’s 23 and be only one in need of the general document for women and men within the sport — the 24 Grand Slams held by Margaret Court docket.
“It is no secret that one of many essential causes I play right this moment and compete in skilled tennis is to attempt to break extra information and make extra historical past in tennis,” stated Djokovic.
“That is extraordinarily motivating and galvanizing for me. Historical past being on the road is one thing that could be very flattering.”
Regardless of his two titles at Roland Garros, Djokovic insists present world primary Carlos Alcaraz is favorite so as to add a maiden Paris crown to his US Open triumph.
The 20-year-old Spaniard, 16 years Djokovic’s junior, has titles on clay in Buenos Aires, Madrid and Barcelona this spring.
By comparability, Djokovic didn’t get past the final eight in any of his clay tournaments together with his progress hampered by the recurrence of an elbow damage.
“He is No. 1 on this planet, and he is a participant that received large titles on clay this season. So proper now he’s the most important favorite no matter the truth that he has one Grand Slam and I’ve 22.”
Djokovic and Alcaraz are seeded to fulfill within the semi-finals of the French Open which begins Sunday.
Alcaraz will begin his marketing campaign towards Italy’s world quantity 159 Flavio Cobolli.
Djokovic, in the meantime, will tackle 114th-ranked Aleksandar Kovacevic of america who can be making his essential draw bow on the main.
Djokovic shares the all-time males’s document of 22 Grand Slam titles with Nadal however can break that tie by profitable the French Open for a 3rd time.
Nadal, the 14-time champion in Paris, is sitting out Roland Garros with a hip damage. Together with his 37th birthday quick approaching, the Spaniard has admitted that 2024 will possible be his ultimate 12 months on tour.
“When he introduced that he will have his final season of his profession, I felt a part of me is leaving with him too,” stated Djokovic.
“It made me take into consideration my profession and the way lengthy I’ll play.
“I am not going to make any announcement right this moment, however simply reflecting on it. I felt additionally a little bit bit emotional about what he was saying.”
Djokovic holds a 30-29 profession edge over Nadal however the Spanish star has been the superior pressure at Roland Garros with eight wins within the pair’s 10 conferences.
“I do not like seeing him within the draw of Roland Garros, to be trustworthy,” added Djokovic.
“I’ve had not a lot success towards him in our head-to-head. I’ve managed to beat him twice, however I needed to depart my coronary heart and my guts out on the court docket to attain that.”
Ought to Djokovic add the 2023 French Open title to his wins in 2016 and 2021, he won’t solely break the Grand Slam tie with Nadal within the males’s document books.
He would additionally go stage with Serena Williams’s 23 and be only one in need of the general document for women and men within the sport — the 24 Grand Slams held by Margaret Court docket.
“It is no secret that one of many essential causes I play right this moment and compete in skilled tennis is to attempt to break extra information and make extra historical past in tennis,” stated Djokovic.
“That is extraordinarily motivating and galvanizing for me. Historical past being on the road is one thing that could be very flattering.”
Regardless of his two titles at Roland Garros, Djokovic insists present world primary Carlos Alcaraz is favorite so as to add a maiden Paris crown to his US Open triumph.
The 20-year-old Spaniard, 16 years Djokovic’s junior, has titles on clay in Buenos Aires, Madrid and Barcelona this spring.
By comparability, Djokovic didn’t get past the final eight in any of his clay tournaments together with his progress hampered by the recurrence of an elbow damage.
“He is No. 1 on this planet, and he is a participant that received large titles on clay this season. So proper now he’s the most important favorite no matter the truth that he has one Grand Slam and I’ve 22.”
Djokovic and Alcaraz are seeded to fulfill within the semi-finals of the French Open which begins Sunday.
Alcaraz will begin his marketing campaign towards Italy’s world quantity 159 Flavio Cobolli.
Djokovic, in the meantime, will tackle 114th-ranked Aleksandar Kovacevic of america who can be making his essential draw bow on the main.
