Ex-AO boss comments on Novak Djokovic's response to Rafael Nadal's shade

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

Former Australian Open tournament director Paul McNamee applauded Novak Djokovic's "classy and correct response" to Rafael Nadal's "frustrated" comment. After Djokovic landed his 24th Grand Slam title at the US Open and went two Majors ahead of Nadal in the Slam race, the Spaniard made a comment that drew lots of attention.

"I’m not frustrated for a simple reason – within my possibilities, I’ve done all I can to make things happen for me. I think Novak feels more intensely [about] this than I do. Had he not achieved it, it may have been a bigger frustration for him," Nadal told Movistar+.

This week, Djokovic addressed Nadal's comments during his interview with Serbian publication Sportal. In his response, Djokovic refused to call out or criticize Nadal in any way possible. "I saw that it went quite viral, that people were talking about it.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and how they interpret someone else in that context. That's all I can say. Rafa is a great champion, I greatly appreciate and respect him as a champion, as my biggest rival, as a man and a tennis player who has largely participated in shaping my game and the results I have achieved," Djokovic told Sportal.

McNamee comments on Djokovic's response to Nadal

McNamee, who was tournament director of the Australian Open between 1995 and 2006, felt Djokovic gave the best possible response to Nadal's comments. "Classy and correct response," McNamee wrote on X.

Classy and correct response — 🎗️ Paul McNamee (@PaulFMcNamee) October 10, 2023

Meanwhile, many believe the Grand Slam race between Djokovic and Nadal is finished. Djokovic made four finals and won three Grand Slams this year, while Nadal is working on returning from surgery.

In 2024, Nadal is hoping to return to tennis and have his farewell. Barring a stunning turn of events, Djokovic will finish with the most Grand Slams and finish ahead of Nadal.