‘He’s the best of all time…’: Nadal ends GOAT debate with stunning Djokovic-Federer verdict, calls him ‘biggest rival’ | Tennis News

In an interview with AS, the Spaniard decided to end the GOAT debate between the Big Three, consisting of himself, Djokovic and Roger Federer.

“The numbers say Djokovic is the best of all time, so his level was also the best. He is also the one who has managed to stay away from injury for the longest time. That’s no excuse, that’s also why he’s the best.” And I think that it’s human that Novak, even if he’s in excellent shape, has a little breakdown and decides to leave. “He can still get up “Be competitive at the highest level and win the biggest tournaments,” he said.

“If at some point all the sacrifices he has made are not repaid, I think he will decide to resign. Djokovic is the player I have faced the most in my career, but my biggest rival has been Federer. Roger was the first.” “I had to beat myself when I got on the ATP Tour. They had a special influence on you for years and Roger was always there. My rivalry with both of them was more intense than the one they had, I don’t know why,” he added.

Before the exhibition event, Nadal met Djokovic in Paris 2024, where the Serb claimed a victory and later took gold. Speaking about his defeat in Saudi Arabia, Nadal said: “It was a fight that was obviously very different from the fights we had on the tour, but it was fun, especially in the second set. I didn’t play well enough in the first set.” Because I haven’t played against almost anyone since the Olympics. It always took me a while to find my rhythm because we have an incredibly long history. I always felt like they loved me so much in all the tournaments I took part in during my career.

“It’s hard to describe but the energy and personal satisfaction you feel when you feel people’s support is very special, I can’t thank everyone enough. It will be a big change in my life. I need time to decide.” What I want to do in the future, since I was a child, I have lived as a professional athlete. Now I’m concentrating on preparing for the Davis Cup and enjoying these last few months as a professional. I just need time to think.

Djokovic and Nadal met 60 times, more than any other pair in the Open Era. Nadal leads 11-7 in Grand Slam events but trails 29-31 overall. Nadal leads on clay 20:9, Djokovic leads on hard courts (20:7) and on grass it is 2:2.