My greatest rival is Novak Djokovic,” Nadal candidly admitted in a 2022 interview, underscoring the unique nature of their relationship.
Similarly, Djokovic once remarked, “I respect Rafa, probably more than any other player in the world — he is the biggest rival I had in my life.”
The Numbers Behind the Rivalry
The pair’s encounters included 18 Grand Slam showdowns, with Nadal prevailing in 11 of them, while Djokovic led 31-29 overall.
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Despite being a respected figure in the sport, McEnroe once found himself in a tense exchange with Nadal over an insinuation that the latter consistently violated the sport’s shot clock rule, which allows players 25 seconds between points to serve. McEnroe, while commentating, suggested that Nadal often took 30 seconds to serve and got away with it due to his greatness.
Upon hearing these remarks, a visibly annoyed Nadal retorted: “I am following the rules. If I am having more than 25 seconds I receive a warning every single time. If not, check the clock. I don’t think I’m receiving different treatment at all. I don’t understand why John can say that on the TV, but I am going to have a chat with him later.”
