Novak Djokovic’s coach explains why Rafael Nadal will be ‘dangerous’ when he returns
Rafael Nadal’s impending comeback has been hailed as “the best news for world tennis” with Goran Ivanisevic admitting he is looking forward to the Spaniard renewing his rivalry with Novak Djokovic in 2024.
After spending the majority of the 2023 campaign on the sidelines due to a hip injury that required surgery in June, Nadal is getting closer to a return as everything points to him lining up at the Australian Open in January.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner recently revealed that he is “on the right path”, but remains cautious ahead of a potential return.
“I really can’t confirm something I don’t know,” the 37-year-old said. “Nothing has changed in the last few weeks except for the fact that I’m training a bit more than before, which is an accomplishment for me and my mental health.
“I’m on the right path but I’m in unknown territory.”
Djokovic’s coach Ivanisevic believes a fully fit Nadal is good for tennis, hence he is excited about the tennis great’s comeback.
“I agree, it’s the best news for world tennis right now if he comes back,” he told Croatia’s Sportske Novosti.
“That’s all well and good, but we still have to wait for Nadal to say it. Only then can we be sure of a return and, at least for another year, the continuation of the great rivalry with Novak.”
READ MORE: Rafael Nadal warned ‘two things can happen’ if he returns too early by Roger Federer’s former coach
Djokovic and Nadal have enjoyed an iconic rivalry as they have played each other 59 times with the former edging the head-to-head count 30-29. Nine of their matches have been in Grand Slam finals, including their 2012 Australian Open clash that lasted five hours and 53 minutes with Djokovic the last man standing.
Nadal will no doubt want to ease back into things in Australia before going all out during the clay-court season.
Ivanisevic believes the Spaniard will be a “dangerous” opponent and tipped him to aim for the “double crown in Paris” as both Roland Garros and the 2024 Olympic Games will be staged in the French capital next year.
The 2001 Wimbledon champion added: “I’m convinced Nadal will be fine, he wouldn’t come back if he didn’t feel ready, and I’m convinced he’ll be dangerous at Roland-Garros.
“In fact, he’ll be the most dangerous because nobody has been as dominant as him at Roland-Garros, and it’s possible that in the year of the Olympics, he’ll be aiming for the double crown in Paris.”
