Nadal’s to-do list: Find time to congratulate Djoko

Rafael Nadal admits he may be a bit tardy in congratulating Novak Djokovic for winning another US Open.

The 37-year-old injured Spaniard who has not competed since January but hopes to make a return at the 2024 Australian Open, allowed that he might be a little late in offering up his best wishes to his rival.

“The truth is that I still haven’t sent any message to Djokovic. When you gain something so important, from experience,” he told Spanish media.

” I know that it is better to spend time to (think through) this message. I’ll send it, but I haven’t done it yet.”

The veteran whose nearly two-decade rivalry with now-retired Roger Federer set the template for those to follow, does not feel the connection with Nadal that he had with the Swiss, winner of 20 Grand Slam singles titles to the 22 of Nadal and 24 of Djokovic.

“Of course, I sent messages to (fellow Spaniard Carlos) Alcaraz when he won or when he was about to win. 

“The others… I don’t have many friends left on the circuit, I’m already from another generation. I’ll talk to Federer from time to time.”

Main photo:- Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal faced off in the 2022 French Open quarter final by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Draper devours semi-final bagel to finally school Alcaraz

Jack Draper will crack the ATP top 10 for the first time after the Brit defeated two-time…

10 hours ago

Swiatek breaks the speed limit in rapid-fire win

Iga Swiatek switched to warp speed after rain delayed her fourth-round match by an hour,…

5 days ago

Alcaraz hits 14 in a row at Indian Wells

Two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz ran his hot streak at the Indian Wells Masters to 14…

5 days ago

Sabalenka steamrolls modest Italian opposition

Aryna Sabalenka spent just an hour and a quarter in dispatching Italian Lucia Bronzetti 6-1,…

5 days ago

Gauff scrapes through despite double-fault disaster

Coco Gauff wasted five match points while double-faulting four times in the final game but managed…

6 days ago

Draper increasing confidence with IW win

Jack Draper used the confidence earned just weeks ago in Australia to power past Jensen Brooksby…

6 days ago