Novak Djokovic is easily one of the best tennis players on the court today. With his powerful strokes and immaculate determination, the Serb is now running for the undisputed GOAT title for which Federer and Nadal are the other competitors. While each of their fanbases are busy with the debate of who the real GOAT is, Federer retired from the sport in 2022 and Nadal has recently canceled more events than he has played with the news of a discerning injury. However, with his winning streak finally at rest in Dubai, Djokovic made a claim that is enough to shock Nadal fans.
Novak Djokovic has an attitude that his haters call arrogance. While the Serb simply makes it a point to not care about the overbearing criticisms, sometimes they do get to him. With every match, it is clear what he’s building at: to build on the stack of titles he has already accumulated. Recently, after his semi-final loss to Daniil Medvedev in Dubai, Djokovic made a claim to defeat Nadal on clay.
Novak Djokovic is playing tennis to beat Rafael Nadal on clay!
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Novak Djokovic seems to be all geared up to face Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros on 28th May. As it seems, Rafa might not make it to Monte Carlo after all. However, the Serb expressed his confidence in his abilities at the press conference after his match in Dubai. He was asked, “Is it a possibility you can beat Nadal on clay on his favorite surface? Are you looking forward to that?”
Djokovic answered with his usual smirk, “If it’s not a possibility, my friend, I wouldn’t be playing tennis.”
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Djokovic further talked about how clay is one of the most difficult surfaces to get friction on. “Clay, as we’ve said, is the most demanding surface. It takes time more than any other surface to prepare for.” To battle these challenges in Roland Garros or Monte Carlo and beat the King of Clay himself will surely make the Nolefam happier than ever. With the addition of his record of the most weeks at no.1 beating WTA icon Steffi Graf, Djokovic is making his presence known more than ever.
Rafael Nadal might not make it to Roland Garros this year
To heighten further anticipation of this face-off on clay comes Rafael Nadal’s recent injury update. The Spanish tennis legend has already withdrawn from Indian Wells this year, confirming his absence in the sunshine doubles. To add to that, he has not provided a timeline as to when he would be back. He simply stated that he would try to come back to court as soon as possible. There is also no news yet of him turning up for Roland Garros.
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With his dropping out of Indian Wells, Rafael Nadal is to lose his top 10 ranking for the first time in 18 years and that comes as a huge blow to Nadal fans worldwide. However, it remains to be seen whether Djokovic’s dreams come true on clay or Nadal remains to rule the court forever.
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