In a decisive statement, Rafael Nadal addressed the GOAT debate in tennis, declaring Novak Djokovic as the best ever and naming Roger Federer as his greatest rival. As Nadal approaches retirement after next month’s Davis Cup finals, he recently faced Djokovic in the third-place match at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia, where he lost 6-2, 7-6(5). This match marked the end of their legendary rivalry.
In an interview with AS, Nadal commented on the GOAT debate among himself, Djokovic, and Federer. Nadal stated, “The numbers indicate that Djokovic is the best ever, as he has maintained the highest level of play and stayed injury-free for longer periods. This is not an excuse; it simply underscores his greatness and deserving of the title. Even though Federer has retired and I am about to, it is natural that Djokovic might experience a brief decline. If he remains healthy, he can still compete at the highest levels and aim for major tournament victories.”
Nadal further elaborated, “Djokovic is the player I have faced the most, but Federer was my greatest rival. Roger was the first major obstacle I encountered on the ATP Tour. Our rivalries were particularly intense, more so than the ones they had with each other. I am not sure why that was.”
Reflecting on his recent match in Saudi Arabia, Nadal said, “It was a challenging battle, different from our tour matches but enjoyable, especially in the second set. I struggled in the first set due to limited play since the Olympics, but playing against Djokovic is always thrilling because of our long history. I have been fortunate to feel immense support from fans at tournaments throughout my career.”
Nadal also expressed his gratitude for the support he has received, stating, “The energy and personal satisfaction from the fans’ support are indescribable, and I am deeply thankful. The upcoming change in my life will be significant. I need time to decide on my future after living as a professional athlete since childhood. For now, I am focused on preparing for the Davis Cup and savoring these final months as a professional without pressuring myself. Time for reflection will be necessary.”
Nadal and Djokovic have met 60 times, the most encounters between any pair in the Open Era. Nadal leads 11-7 in Grand Slam events but trails 29-31 overall. On clay, Nadal leads 20-9, while Djokovic dominates hard courts 20-7. They are tied 2-2 on grass.
