Rafael Nadal is back after almost a year on the ATP circuit and is competing in the ATP tournament in Brisbane. Here, the Iberian talked about his rivalry with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
Rafael Nadal believes Roger Federer’s excitement is more important than Novak Djokovic’s numbers
Although Nadal and Federer remained friends after the Swiss retired from tennis, the relationship between the Spaniard and the Serbian Djokovic can be called complicated.
Djokovic’s stats are on his side in the tennis GOAT (Greatest Player of All Time) debate, but Nadal believes Federer left his mark on the white sport through elegance and other intangibles.
“For as long as I can remember tennis, Federer is the player who made the biggest impression on me; the one who amused me the most, the one who moved me the most.
After watching Federer play, I was more moved than Djokovic, and at the end of the day, tennis is about emotions. Emotions are what attract you,” – Rafael Nadal in an interview with El Pais.
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FEDAL, Tennis’s Biggest Rivalry: “Elegance vs. Warrior”
“There are several factors. I will not tell him about some, because it is difficult for me and it is not my role to comment. But as far as tennis is concerned, it is clear. This is a combination of radical styles.
Roger represented excellence in terms of aesthetics, elegance and technique. I also have good technique, but that’s not the same as aesthetics. These are two different things. He had incredible technique, and he did things with astonishing beauty and elegance.
When I started my rise, he was #1 in the world and I was a rival with long hair and a curvaceous build. Elegance versus warrior. It was a unique combination of personalities and styles. All this, combined with many matches in the great arenas of the world, turned our rivalry into something that meant more than any match.” – Rafael Nadal.
Nadal will face Thiem in the first round of the ATP in Brisbane, while Djokovic will play for Serbia at the United Cup.
BIG 3, live match results
Djokovic – Nadal 30-29
Djokovic vs Federer 27-23
Nadal vs Federer 24-16.
Hierarchy of Grand Slam titles
1. Novak Djokovic 24
2. Rafael Nadal 22
3. Roger Federer 20 (retired from tennis).
Source: Hot News
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