Nadal Acknowledges Djokovic’s Place in GOAT Debate

The debate over the greatest tennis player of all time (GOAT) has been heated for years, with Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer each leaving an undeniable mark on the sport. Recently, Rafael Nadal spoke about what sets Djokovic apart: his remarkable ability to stay healthy. In a conversation with AS, Nadal acknowledged Djokovic’s record-breaking accomplishments and high-level consistency.

“In the end, he is a player who has managed to maintain a very high level of play and improve every year. The numbers say that he is the best, so his tennis level has also been the best.”

The Impact of Staying Injury-Free

According to Nadal, one of Djokovic’s key advantages over his career has been his ability to avoid long-term injuries. The 37-year-old Serbian has maintained top physical fitness, enabling him to continue playing at an elite level without the restrictions of recurrent injuries. Nadal highlighted how this physical edge has provided Djokovic with both a physical and mental advantage:

“In addition, he is the one who has managed to stay the furthest away from injuries… it not only affects you physically and gives you options to win, but it also generates a lack of fear on a mental level.”

Djokovic’s Unmatched Resilience

Nadal further explained how Djokovic’s injury-free approach enables him to play fearlessly, especially on hard courts where sliding is common. He compared Djokovic’s approach to that of Carlos Alcaraz, contrasting it with his own experience where frequent injuries led him to play more cautiously:

“Djokovic runs on a hard court and slides here, slides there, just like Carlos does today. Because they are not afraid to do it yet and they can.”

Nadal Reflects on His Own Career Limitations

Reflecting on his own limitations, Nadal shared that, due to his injuries, he had to adapt his playing style over time, seeking “shortcuts” to remain competitive:

“I did it at the beginning of my career, but of course, when things happen, you just can’t do it… and you have to look for shortcuts to continue being competitive.”

No Excuses – Djokovic Deserves the Title of ‘The Best’

Despite the challenges he’s faced, Nadal expressed admiration for Djokovic’s achievements and acknowledged that his success is well-deserved. He reinforced that Djokovic’s endurance, both physically and mentally, has secured his place as the best in tennis:

“That has allowed Novak to maintain his physical, tennis, and mental level for longer. It is not an excuse; thanks to that, he is the best, and he has really earned it.”