Goran Ivanisevic gives honest verdict on Novak Djokovic’s relationship with Rafael Nadal
Goran Ivanisevic has discussed the relationship and rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal and declared that “the two of them had something special.”
The 2001 Wimbledon champion asserted it is “stupid to reproach” Nadal irrespective of allegiances to Djokovic and highlighted the respect shared between the pair.
Djokovic and Nadal form what is arguably one of sport’s greatest ever rivalries, having played a remarkable 59 times – a record in men’s tennis. The Serbian holds a 30-29 lead – with their clashes to date having taken place over a 16-year period from 2006 to 2022.
The legendary duo are also the two players with the most men’s Grand Slam titles in history. Djokovic won a record-extending 24th Slam at the 2023 US Open in September, while Nadal won his 22nd and most recent major at the 2022 French Open.
The highly successful coaching collaboration between Djokovic and Ivanisevic came to an end last week, with the legendary Serb winning nine of his Grand Slams after the Croatian’s arrival in June 2019. Djokovic last featured at the Indian Wells Masters in March, where he fell to a surprise loss to Luca Nardi.
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In an interview with Sport Klub after his split with Djokovic, Ivanisevic spoke about the competition between the 36-year-old Serb and his great Spanish rival.
“Novak’s record is not over yet, it will continue to add up. We don’t know how long, but if all goes well he will be No 1 until Roland Garros,” the former world No 2 said.
“It’s stupid to reproach Rafa for something, I love Rafa and I will always say that the two of them had something special. I know that the media is interested in fuelling this type of conflict, but rivalry must be respected.
“They are not really friends with each other, but they all respect each other and, at the end of the day, between the two of them they helped each other a lot to become better players.”
In an appearance on French TV show C a vous last year, Djokovic addressed his relationship with Nadal and suggested he hopes it changes in retirement.
“Rafael Nadal is a very special player for me, he’s not really my friend but we have respect for each other. I hope that after our career, we can have a drink on the beach, talk about life,” declared the Serbian.
Nadal has not played since making his long-awaited comeback in Brisbane in January, where he suffered a hip injury setback in his quarter-final loss to Jordan Thompson. Before Brisbane, Nadal had not played since sustaining a hip psoas muscle injury at the 2023 Australian Open.
The 37-year-old subsequently withdrew from the 2024 Australian Open, and has since pulled out of events in Doha and Indian Wells, where he had hoped to return.
Nadal and Djokovic could both feature at the Monte Carlo Masters, which will be played from April 7-14.
