"We have pushed ourselves to the limit" – Rafael Nadal on rivalries with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer
ATP
Rafael Nadal will go down as one of the greatest players ever to pick up a tennis racquet. The Spaniard’s legacy is one that few can match, defined by his unparalleled work ethic, resilience, and sportsmanship.
In 2024, the former world number one announced his retirement from the game, marking the end of an extraordinary era. His impact on the sport, from his relentless competitiveness to his inspirational comeback stories, has left an unforgettable mark on tennis.
When accepting the Extraordinary Trophy at Mundo Deportivo’s 77th annual Grand Gala, Nadal was asked who his toughest opponent was—a question that sparked plenty of discussion among fans.
A career of dominance
There is no doubt that Nadal is one of the most decorated players in tennis history. Turning professional in 2001, his longevity and success are a testament to his dedication and love for the game.
Read also
His career achievements speak for themselves:
- 92 career titles
- 36 ATP Masters 1000 trophies
- 22 Grand Slam titles
Nadal’s dominance on clay is legendary, winning 14 French Open titles, an unmatched record in the sport. However, he has also proven his excellence across all surfaces, with multiple Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and US Open.
Beyond individual success, Nadal has been instrumental in Spanish tennis, winning two Olympic gold medals and playing a key role in Spain’s Davis Cup victories.
His ability to return from injury time and time again is a testament to his incredible determination, making him one of the sport’s most inspiring figures.
Nadal on his greatest rivals
When asked to name his toughest rival, two names immediately came to mind: Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
Nadal acknowledged that his rivalries with both players were among the greatest in tennis history, pushing all three of them to new heights.
"I would say Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer; it's difficult to choose," Nadal said.
"My career is linked to both; the three of us have pushed each other to improve. We've indeed taken things from each other, but it's fair to say that one of us, without the other two, wouldn't have reached the numbers that the three of us have achieved."
He reflected on how their intense competition had pushed them to the limits of physical and mental endurance.
"In some ways, we have pushed ourselves to the limit in every sense.
"Physically, this has harmed us quite a bit, but on a tennis and mental level, it has taken us to the next level of demand, and that is why we have been able to have such a long career."
The end of an era
When Djokovic eventually retires, it will truly signal the end of one of the greatest rivalries the game has ever seen.
Nadal’s legacy is secure, and his impact on future generations of tennis players will continue to inspire for years to come.
Muchas gracias @mundodeportivo por este reconocimiento tan especial. Ha sido una noche muy emotiva rodeado de amigos y de grandes deportistas. #GalaMD pic.twitter.com/5SQveMQLqq
— Rafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal) February 3, 2025
Just In
Popular News
Latest Comments
- It sounds seriously absurd that in Davis Cup, (unlike Grand Slams such as the Aus Open), medical time outs off court with the medical staff are not allowed?? I mean, if this was an Aus Open match, and the same thing happened to Gurin then, he would have been able to go off court for official medical time out and make an informed decision whether to resume the match or retire. How come such conditions do not apply in Davis Cup?? I mean, there with Davis Cup, it is even more like a soccer match or basketball game in that teams are playing. And so as with those, it ought to be the case in tennis that if a player needs serious medical time out, then one of the other team mates ought to substitute and each team needs to have stand-ins or understudies in case substitution is needed which will be rare but as we can see here, this kind of circumstance fits. But even if the teams do not go down the road of subbing other team mates in, in case of a health issue like the one which played out here, at least, as in the Aus Open and other Grand Slams, there ought to be time-outs with the health professionals and at the conclusion of these time-outs, the particular decision that has been reached between them and the player needs to be taken on board by the umpire. PERIOD.
Sueiyin04-02-2025 - "If Novak did this, he would be defaulted for life. WTF." 🤣 WTF sounds like What Tennis Fury?! What Tennis Flurry??! I mean, se-rious-ly, it was actually the unfairness of the silly umpire's decision that is the issue here! Further, how come it was Gurin & his team who got disqualified? If this kind of thing happens in soccer, it would be the other guy getting the yellow or red card! Because after all, it was the Belgian who's foul it was so why then penalize the opponents for something they didn't instigate? Fouls in both basketball and soccer are read as a hinderance that has been caused by the player who INITIALLY instigated the hinderance. In this case, okay, it is tennis, but while the precise rules are different to either soccer or basketball, the same type of recognition as to whoever instigates a hinderance should apply, and in this case, it was the Belgian player.Sueiyin04-02-2025
- Medvedev talking to his form here. "Some actual deep problem." 🤣😂🤣MrAndreeva03-02-2025
- "Hopefully, the team around her will help... " Actually, the lack thereof seems to have been part of the problem(s). Another possibility is that, while dealing with legitimate surgeries, withdrawing, and otherwise passing on events, the competition has stepped-up in intensity while she was busy with traveling, photo shoots, and TV commercials.
mandoist03-02-2025 - Ha-ha-ha... Translation: I'll help as long as I don't have to meet in person and endure the ongoing BS"mandoist03-02-2025
- Well said.mandoist03-02-2025
- So tennisuptodate doesn't even make this event a headline on this site? I had to find it hidden here. Not a word about Yastremska trying to ruin Alexandrova's celebration with her postgame actions?? According to WTA regulations, Yastremska has some punishment coming her way for walking-off court, blowing-off postgame rituals with the winner; including no photos, etc.mandoist03-02-2025
- "So while perhaps the big issue of having to wait for a call-up is there, so is the coaching carousel. .." Well, there you go. Emma's 'career' in one precise sentence. Sponsors bailing-out on her will follow (so far, only Porsche and Dior).mandoist02-02-2025
- Typical narcissistic cynicism of Kyrgios! Very rarely has a decent word to say about anything. He's abusive, jeeringly loud and obnoxious. He needs to be officially called out by both the ATP and ITF for using foul language in public spaces such as social media. The guy's a vampiric hoon who sucks the lifeblood out of tennis by trying to bolster popularity of the good-for-nothing bad boy image. I once admired Kyrgios for his previous good-willed willingness to get honest help for his mental health issues but that all went down the drain once he figured he could reel money in through publicity stunts using the negativity of his problems in such a way as to declare them 'no longer problems' but something which he could become more entangled in just to boost an anti-hero image. Shame on him for turning his back on common human decency and good-willed fraternity. Instead he opts to make a 'hero' out of villany. I'm sorry Nick but u are only doing more harm to yourself in the long run by trying to serve up a bad name for the sport you claim to so proudly represent. Get real mate, tennis is not for hoons, neither is hoon-behaviour the hallmark of sporting integrity. It's an utter disgrace!Sueiyin02-02-2025
- This pattern is ridiculous. How the hell... oh, right.mandoist02-02-2025
