Rafael Nadal insists he maintains an excellent relationship with Novak Djokovic despite criticism from the world No1’s father.
Nadal has responded to comments made by Srdjan Djokovic this week to Serbian daily Kurir in which heclaimed the Spaniard’s relationship with his son changed after he began to suffer a series of defeats to the Serbain.
Nadal, however, insists that is not the case. The 12-time Grand Slam champion said: “If he (Srdjan) wants to know how I get along with Nole, he should better ask his son.
“My relationship with him [Novak] has always been very good and it still is. I’ve lost many games with him, and he with me and have never had any problems.”
Nadal and Djokovic have been known to be friends and they played doubles together in Toronto in 2010 but their rivalry piqued in 2011, when Nadal suffered six consecutive final losses to the Serb.
Many within the sport, including Djokovic’s father, believe the relationship has soured due to the heightening of the rivalry. Nadal holds a 20-15 record against Djokovic overall, but since 2011 the Serb leads their head-to-head record 8-4.
“Rafael Nadal was Novak’s best friend while he was winning. When things changed, they were no longer friends. This is not sport. This is what Novak has in him, and they [Nadal and Federer] don’t have,” Srdjan said.
Nadal was not the only victim of Srdjan’s comments as the Serb also hit out at Federer, saying the Swiss’s ability as a player is not mirrored by his personality off the court.
“Federer is perhaps still the best tennis player in history, but as a man he’s the opposite,” added Srdjan. “He attacked Novak at the Davis Cup in Geneva, he realised that he was his successor and was trying to discredit him in every way.
“Novak’s success is an amazing thing and something that one cannot understand.”
World No2 and Wimbledon champion Andy Murray, however, did escape the ire of Srdjan. Murray and Djokovic’s rivalry goes back to when they were juniors but Srdjan believes the two share a mutual respect.
He said: “I have never, not even for a second, felt jealousy from Andy’s family. They cannot be best friends as they fight for the most important titles, and lot of money. But they are more than correct rivals.”
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