Novak Djokovic may be denied ultimate Rafael Nadal wish after praise for rival

Novak Djokovic has been denied the chance to fulfil his hopes of playing Rafael Nadal in this year’s French Open final. Back in February, the world No 3 said he thought both he and Nadal would sign for the chance to face off with a record 23rd Grand Slam title on the line. But the Spaniard has been forced to pull out with Roland Garros as he continues to face injury problems.

Djokovic was able to draw level with Nadal on 22 Grand Slam titles – the men’s singles record – by winning January’s Australian Open. Just a few weeks after his triumph in Melbourne Park, the Serb quickly shared his wish to meet his rival in the French Open final with a 23rd Major up for grabs.

The 36-year-old was full of praise for Nadal during a press conference at his Belgrade tennis centre back in February, explaining why the Spaniard would always be his biggest and best rival. But after piling the praise on Nadal and their rivalry, Djokovic has already lost his wish before the French Open has even started.

“The rivalry that counts the most matches in the history of any rivalry in tennis,” Djokovic said at the time, discussing Nadal. “I would like to meet in the Roland Garros final, if I could choose, I believe we would both sign it now.”

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The 93-time title winner had been questioned over whether he thought Carlos Alcaraz was becoming his new main rival, with the pair spending the 2023 season so far battling for the No 1 ranking. Although Djokovic spoke highly of the 20-year-old, he refused to put anyone above Nadal.

“I cannot call him my main rival, my main rival is still Nadal,” he explained. “I just feel Nadal, the rivalry with Nadal is something that is difficult to eliminate just because somebody is doing great things in the last year and a half. Nadal has been the biggest rival and probably will remain the biggest rival I ever had in my career.”

Djokovic has now all but lost his biggest rival, as Nadal recently announced that he will be spending several months on the sidelines in a bid to return pain-free in 2024. But his return will be more of a farewell than a comeback.

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The 14-time French Open champion believes that next year will be his last as a professional tennis player as he aims to “say goodbye to all the important tournaments” in his career. With Nadal absent from his most successful tournament, Djokovic has already lost the chance for a showdown in the final.

And with Nadal’s comeback schedule still unclear, there could be a scenario in which he never faces Djokovic again depending on whether they can meet in the draw of any tournament next year. Either way, it remains clear that no player will be able to have the same impact on Djokovic.

“Along with Federer, he was the most influential in shaping me into the player I am today,” the 36-year-old said in February. Djokovic will now be left to fly the flag for the Big Three at the upcoming French Open, as he bids to surpass Nadal and win a record 23rd men’s singles Major title without his rival present.

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