“Don’t Know What Exactly You Can Do”: Toni Nadal on Rafael Nadal-Novak Djokovic Clashes

Rafael Nadal began his journey towards a 13th French Open title as he dispatched Egor Gerasimov in the first round of French Open 2020. But obviously, in a Grand Slam, his greatest challenge is Novak Djokovic.

Rafa’s uncle Toni Nadal agrees that Nadal’s biggest and toughest challenge is Djokovic. In a recent conversation with Eurosport, he called Djokovic a more formidable opponent than Roger Federer.

“For me, it is always a bit more difficult with Djokovic than against Federer because with Federer we have a plan against him.” 

When Toni was Rafa’s coach he had a successful plan against Federer. Nadal would target Federer’s relatively weak backhand, and that had worked for many years.

“We know that (against Federer) Rafael has to hit the ball hard on his backhand, and with a little height. For me, it is a plan that, if he can put it into motion, and we are very lucky, we have a good chance of winning.”

Toni Nadal’s advice to Rafael Nadal when he plays Novak Djokovic

Against Djokovic, though, it’s a different case. Toni acknowledged that it’s difficult to have a solid plan against the World No.1.

“But with Novak, it’s always like this:” Puffff you don’t know exactly what you can do. You have to play and try to be great.”

(Quotes have been translated from Spanish using Google Translate)

Looking at the head-to-head, Nadal has had a tougher time against Djokovic than against Federer. Nadal has a one-sided head-to-head record against Federer. The Spaniard has won 24 of the 42 matches he has played against the Swiss master. Moreover, he has thoroughly dominated Federer on clay, with Nadal winning 14 out of 16 matches. With Djokovic, however, things are different.

Against Djokovic, he has played a record 55 matches, winning 26 and losing 29. In Grand Slam matches, Nadal leads 9-6, but he hasn’t defeated Djokovic at a major since 2014. Also, Nadal’s fortress at the French Open was breached by Djokovic in 2015 when the Serbian had dished out a straight-set thrashing in the quarterfinals.

The two are slated to meet in the final of the 2020 French Open, and as Toni said, Nadal will have to play great tennis to overcome Djokovic.

Read More: “Going to Win the Whole Thing”: John McEnroe Predicts Novak Djokovic Will Overpower Rafael Nadal at French Open 2020