Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal ‘have something in their brain that is not typical of humans’

Shahida Jacobs 15 Apr 2023 7:51 AM

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal at the net

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s exceptional professionalism 365 days a year have been key to their success and longevity, according to Magnus Norman with the Swede also jokingly claiming they don’t have typical human brains.

Despite both being on the wrong side of 30, Djokovic and Nadal are still the players to beat at the majors and are currently tied on 22 Grand Slams following the former’s success at the Australian Open in January.

Their performances over the past few years have been nothing short of remarkable as the 36-year-old Nadal is still competing at the highest level more than two decades after he made his debut while the 35-year-old Djokovic is the reigning world No 1 and setting record after record after record.

The pair have won 16 of the last 19 Grand Slams with Djokovic edging that tally 9-7 and there is a good chance that one of them will move onto 23 majors at the French Open as they are the favourites heading to Roland Garros.

There is no doubt the duo will go down in history as two of the greatest players ever to have lifted rackets, but what makes them such extraordinary tennis players?

Former world No 2 Norman shared his views on the topic during an interview with Clay.

“They are professionals 365 days a year,” the 2000 French Open runner-up said. “They have something in their brain that is not typical of humans.

“They are hungry to be better all the time, they can handle the pressure like nobody else.

“I am very impressed by how they are doing over all these years. It’s hard to imagine.

“They have something special that puts them in the top three or four of all time.”

Although Nadal will always be one of the favourites to win the title at Roland Garros, there are question marks over his fitness as he has not played competitive tennis since losing in the second round of the Australian Open.

After withdrawing from this week’s Monte Carlo Masters, there are now also doubts over his participation at next week’s Barcelona Open and Norman believes the Spaniard will still manage to win big tournaments despite his long absence.

“It will be difficult [for him to show his usual form], but if he is healthy, he is a champion and I hope he plays well,” he said. “You never have to rule out Nadal, [Andy] Murray or Djokovic. Nadal has won many Grand Slams.

“It’s not going to be easy, because the competition is tougher, but he’s going to find a way to play well and win big tournaments this year too.”