World No.1 Novak Djokovic says nemesis Rafael Nadal has every right to voice his opinion on the Tour but he doesn’t completely agree with one statement he has recently said.
Earlier in the week, Nadal spoke to metro.com in an exclusive interview where he covered a variety of topics ranging from his future to his rivalry with other players. In one particular part of the interview, the Spaniard spoke about his approach to winning Grand Slam titles and how it differs to Djokovic. He currently has a record-equalling 20 major titles to his name which is two more than the Serbian.
“Of course, I want to win more Slams, yes. No doubt about that,” Nadal said.
‘But I never get – I mean, Novak is more obsessed about this, more focused…
“Not in a negative way. No, he’s more focused on just these things and it means a lot to him all of this stuff. Like he’s always saying and talking about these records and well done for him… but it’s not my approach to my tennis career.”
Djokovic has been open about his desire to one day own the record for most grand slam titles won by a male player in men’s tennis. Following his triumph at the Australian Open in February, he hinted that he could adjust his schedule in the future to shift a greater focus on the big events.
Back in action this week at the Belgrade Open, Djokovic was questioned about Nadal’s comment during his pre-tournament press conference. He dismissed the idea that he was ‘obsessed’ by explaining that he is driven by ‘passion and huge desire.’
“I cannot speak on his behalf, I do not know the way he thinks, but, it is his right to voice an opinion: how he sees me in regards to records, etc,” he told reporters.
“Personally, I do not feel that I am obsessed with anything in life; what I feel is passion and huge desire. I am going towards achieving my goals and I have never had a problem verbalizing it. Maybe someone cannot say something and then stick to it, but I never found it hard to say:
‘I want to break that record or reach a certain goal. I do not know why would that be a bad thing, not just in terms of records, but anything, politics in tennis for instance.”
Djokovic has played Nadal 56 times on the Tour with him winning 29 of those meetings. Their rivalry includes facing each other in nine Grand Slam finals since 2011, including last year’s French Open when Nadal won in straight sets.
“I respect Rafa, probably more than any other player in the world; he is the biggest rival I had in my life,” he commented. “Everything he has achieved, his dedication to tennis and the way he goes about practicing and tennis in general, these traits of his are worthy of admiration. He knows what sources of motivation he has, I cannot go into that.”
33-year-old Djokovic is looking to get back on track this week at the Serbia Open following his shock loss to Dan Evans in Monte Carlo. Granted a bye in the first round, he will start his campaign against either Roberto Carbelles Baena or Kwon Soon-Woo.
