Rafael Nadal, the legendary Spanish tennis player, recently announced his retirement from professional tennis after the Davis Cup finals next month. In his final match against Novak Djokovic at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Saudi Arabia, Nadal lost 6-2 7-6(5), marking the end of their iconic rivalry.
In an interview with AS, Nadal addressed the ongoing GOAT debate among the Big Three, which includes himself, Djokovic, and Roger Federer. “The numbers say that Djokovic is the best ever,” Nadal stated. “He has managed to stay away from injuries the longest, and he deserves this title.”
Nadal acknowledged Djokovic’s dominance, but he also emphasized his own rivalry with Federer. “My greatest rival was Federer,” he said. “He was the first one I had to beat when I arrived on the ATP Tour. Our rivalry was more intense than the one they had.”
Despite his retirement, Nadal believes Djokovic can continue to compete at the highest level. “If he’s in good health, he can still be competitive and aim to win the biggest tournaments,” Nadal said. “But I think once Federer and I are gone, he may have a small breakdown and decide to leave.”
Nadal also reflected on his defeat to Djokovic in Saudi Arabia. “It was a battle,” he said. “I didn’t play well enough in the first set, but I found my rhythm in the second. Playing against Nole is always exciting because we have such a long history.”
Nadal expressed his gratitude for the support he has received throughout his career. “I’ve always felt the love from the fans,” he said. “It’s hard to describe the energy and satisfaction you feel when you have their support.”
As he prepares for his final months as a professional, Nadal remains focused on the Davis Cup. “I’m enjoying these last months,” he said. “I don’t want to put pressure on myself. I’ll need time to reflect on what I want to do in the future.”
