Novak Djokovic sidelines youngsters Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev to give a massive Rafael Nadal statement

For the past few decades, the ‘Big 3 of tennis’ has often wowed the audience with their dominating game styles and intense rivalry. With Roger Federer retiring from tennis, the rivalry between Novak Djokovic and  Rafael Nadal is now hailed as one of the greatest rivalries in the tennis realm.

Speaking about the same, the Serbian tennis legend recently hailed the 36-year-old player as his biggest competitor on the ATP Tour while he sidelined the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Daniil Medvedev. Amidst all the concerns looming over the Spanish tennis player’s injury woes, the current world No. 1 has made a big statement regarding Nadal.

Novak Djokovic hails his arch-rival, Rafael Nadal ahead of the French Open

The ‘King of the Clay’ is struggling to make a return to competitive tennis due to his hip injury that he picked up at the major event in Melbourne Park.  Since then, Rafael Nadal has withdrawn from a number of tournaments and he is yet to make any announcement regarding his participation in the forthcoming Rolland Garros.

During such an adverse phase, the Spanish tennis legend has received the utmost respect and admiration of his arch-rival, Novak Djokovic. In an interview with Tennis TV, the Serbian tennis star said, “I can’t take anybody else but Nadal as my biggest rival as long as Nadal is playing, as long as I’m playing, Nadal is always my biggest rival regardless of the rankings or what’s going on on the tour, just because of the history of our rivalry and everything.”

He added, “Of course, I have tons of respect for Alcaraz, you know, he just came on the tour last couple of years, and some other players that are out there like Medvedev, I had some great matchups with him that you know, Nadal and myself, we go back a long time, so definitely, he comes in front.”

Who prevailed in the previous clay encounters between Djokovic and Nadal?

In the past few seasons, the ATP legends have squared off with each other only in the clay court events in the tennis circuit. Even during the previous season’s French Open, it was the Spaniard who prevailed in the fourth-set thriller clash of their quarter-final match. Prior to that season, the tennis community witnessed another Rolland Garros matchup between Djokovic and Nadal.

It was the final of the clay major tournament in which the Serb outshined the ‘King of the Clay’ in order to add another Grand Slam title to his tally.

During the same season, Djokovic and Nadal also faced each other in another renowned clay event, the Italian Open. It was the 36-year-old player Nadal who emerged victorious after outclassing his arch-rival in Rome.

READ MORE- ‘You Can Tell He’s Not a Poser’- Roger Federer Fans Set to Embrace Young Kid Carlos Alcaraz After His Graceful Act at Indian Wells

Do you think there will be another matchup between Djokovic and Nadal in the forthcoming major event? Let us know in the comments section.

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