The dawn is setting on Rafael Nadal’s career. After over 20 years in the sport, the Spanish legend is finally calling time on his illustrious career after the 2024 season. Nadal will retire after playing in the Davis Cup Finals next month, in what will be an emotional moment for the entire tennis fraternity. With this, he will end his Grand Slam tally at 22, two behind Novak Djokovic’s haul of 24 major titles. Despite trailing the Serb, Nadal expressed satisfaction over his achievement.

While Djokovic may be ahead statistically, Nadal revealed that his satisfaction doesn’t depend on the number of Grand Slam titles. He said, “I believe in having a good and great ambition, but, at the same time, healthy. You reach the end of your career and, honestly, I am not more satisfied than Federer for having 22 and him 20. And I don’t think I would be more satisfied or happy if I had 25, one more than Djokovic’s 24. I say it from the heart. Of course, I would like to be at 25, without a doubt, because that’s what sport is all about, trying to be the best. However, when it is over, you value what has been all together, not if it has been a little more.”

The GOAT debate is a widely discussed subject in tennis. While Djokovic is ahead of Nadal and Federer statistically, many regard the other two as more fun to watch. While Federer and Nadal are done with their Grand Slam journeys, Djokovic is still at the top of his game and has a chance to add to his tally of 24 Slam titles. With the Serb being ahead statistically, Nadal once made an interesting revelation about Djokovic in a candid admission.

Rafael Nadal: ‘Djokovic is the best in history’

Nadal and Djokovic have had an intriguing rivalry spanning years. Their matches have always been keenly fought with the two clashing on 60 occasions. Djokovic held a slender lead, winning 31 of those matches. Additionally, he dominated men’s tennis statistically, winning 24 major titles and a host of other big titles. As a result, Nadal once made a massive admission about his arch-rival.

The Spaniard said, “I believe that numbers are numbers and statistics are statistics and, in that sense, I think he has better numbers than mine and that is indisputable. It is not beneath me nor do I have an ego big enough to try to disguise a reality that is not. This is the truth. The rest are tastes, inspiration, sensations that one player or the other may transmit to you, that you may like one or the other more. I think that with respect to titles, Djokovic is the best in history and there is nothing to discuss in that.”

With Serbia not featuring in the Davis Cup Finals, we have already seen the end of the Nadal-Djokovic rivalry. Do you think that their rivalry was the greatest in men’s tennis? Let us know your views in the comments below.