"He is a legend of our sport": Novak Djokovic calls Rafael Nadal 'important' for tennis and hopes for Roland Garros send-off
ATP
With Rafael Nadal's final year on the tour not exactly going to plan, he has withdrawn again from a tournament in the form of the Monte-Carlo Masters. Novak Djokovic, his rival and current World No.1 has had his say.
Djokovic said that only Nadal can decide what is right for him and that while he is still involved in the sport, he is important to the fabric of tennis. He said that he hopes he can have his Roland Garros send off as a tennis fan first and foremost and that only he can decide what is right.
Nadal withdrew from Monte-Carlo due to a persistent back problem and hasn't played competitively since January. His comebacks up to press have not gone to plan and he faces a battle to be firing fit for Roland Garros.
Theories have also spun around that Nadal is suffering psychologically instead of being injured and with fear that he will get injured again. He has multiple opportunities to return though including Madrid and Rome before Roland Garros and Djokovic is one who hopes for a happy conclusion to the story as he returns to the court aiming to write his own answers too after recent struggles.
In brighter times: Novak Djokovic hopes Rafael Nadal can get send-off he deserves.
“It is important for our sport to have Rafa on a court, and even more so this year, where he said it may be his last," said Djokovic as per L'Equipe before the Monte-Carlo Masters.
"It's a shame that Rafael Nadal can't play the way he wants since the start of the season. I don't know where he is with his body. But who else but him has the right to say what is good for him?
"He is a legend of our sport. As a tennis fan, I hope he can return to his favorite clay of Roland-Garros.”
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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