"I will love to see Rafa back in 2024 to give him some heat": Former Federer coach Ivan Ljubicic hopes Nadal-Djokovic rivalry resumes in 2024

With Rafael Nadal set to return for the 2024 ATP season, Ivan Ljubicic, former coach of Roger Federer, is hoping the Spaniard can resume his epic rivalry with long-time foe, Novak Djokovic.

Nadal has been sidelined since the 2023 Australian Open, where he suffered a hip injury and subsequently underwent surgery. The Spaniard revealed he would be returning to the circuit in 2024, with the upcoming Brisbane International being his first event before the 2024 Australian Open in Melbourne.

The former Croatian No.1 is eagerly awaiting Nadal's return to the ATP tour. Furthermore, Ljubicic hopes the 22-time Grand Slam champion will be able to challenge Djokovic next season, which the Spaniard has hinted could be his last year on tour.

"I think the most successful one is definitely Novak, at least on the male side," said Ljubicic on the latest episode of the ATP Tennis Radio Podcast. "He keeps winning, he is not stopping and I am really curious and I will love to see Rafa back in 2024 to give him some heat.

"Novak is incredible. I mean, when you look at the way he is playing now and you look at 10 years ago, you will see the same person, which is remarkable, knowing how old he is."