"If you give me a choice, I would say anywhere else": Novak Djokovic wouldn't want final match against Rafael Nadal at 2024 French Open
ATP
Serbia’s legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic has revealed
that he would rather face Spain’s Rafael Nadal somewhere else other than the
French Open one last time.
The former world number one Nadal has already announced that
he will bid farewell to the sport in 2024 after continued struggles on the court.
Djokovic was recently quoted in a report where he stated that he would not feel
comfortable facing the 37-year-old in the competition where he has won it all.
"Although if you give me a choice, I would say anywhere
else,” he said when asked about whether he would be ready to face Nadal at the
French Open. “Roland Garros wouldn't be bad, but Nadal is the player who has
won there the most times in the history of the tournament.
"It was good to
lose to Carlos because it motivated me for the rest of the season. It's true
that we can't be friends because with friends you talk about everything, the
good, the bad, your secrets. With your rivals I don't think you feel very
comfortable revealing all that."
"It's going to be a strange feeling for me to play the
Games at the Roland Garros. It will be similar to the feeling I had in 2012,
when it was at Wimbledon. I think it was the first and the last time it was
played there with colored shirts and not the white ones."
"Apart from the records, I would like to leave a legacy
for those to come. I would like to be remembered as someone who used the
platform that tennis allows me and my status to help other players so that more
can make a living from the racquet."
Djokovic is often regarded as the greatest player in the history
of men’s singles tennis in the Open era, having won as many as 24 Grand Slam
titles.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.
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