Fans rip Rafael Nadal for his words about Novak Djokovic

• Tennis News
• Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal has been on the circuit for almost a year and will most likely return in 2024 in what should be the last year of his extraordinary career. But there is great uncertainty about it and Rafa himself has spoken about it.

In an interview with Movistar, Nadal made the following statements: "Compared to the past, I don't live without pain but at least I can control it. It's not a pain that makes your life bitter, I can resist. There are moments when it doesn't leave me alone.

peace, I find it difficult to go down the stairs at home and certainly in those moments it is not possible to be happy."

Nadal could not fail to talk about Novak Djokovic and his recent victories: "Nole lives the race for the Slams in a more intense way and would have suffered more if he had not managed to achieve these objectives.

2024 my last year? I've always said maybe, maybe I didn't express it in the best way but maybe! I can't confirm this 100%. There's a good chance I'll retire, but it depends on how my body is in three or four months, I can't say now.

Roadmap in 2024? Again, it's not clear to me. It depends on how I feel with my hip and obviously on my ability to compete, as soon as I take the field I will be able to understand better. Olympic Games? It's a scenario that will depend on my real chances of winning Roland Garros or not.

It's clear that I can't compete in all tournaments and I have to make my own assessments."

Fans blames Nadal for his words about Djokovic

Finally regarding the Slam fight with Djokovic: "I missed four and a half years and several Slams due to injury, this is the reality.

It must be said that sport is also this, it doesn't mean I'm better than Djokovic. He had a physique that allowed him to play more than me, I just have to recognize it. Maybe I'll come back and win three more Slams, although I think it's really unlikely!

Message to Nole after the US Open victory? I didn't send him anything, he certainly lived those moments with confusion and I will send him greetings at the right time. But I will. I texted Carlos instead when he won. I don't have many friends on the circuit, but I talk to Roger from time to time." Precisely regarding the words that Rafa expressed about Nole, the fans poured out their conflicting opinions on X, criticizing what the Spaniard said about his great rival.

Here are the most critical comments that were shared:

Can't believe Rafa would say that, just why? The war is over, drop it. Spinning that Djokovic is more determined in a bad way is just meh to say the least. Novak literally said that he wouldn't betray his convictions for Slams.

https://t.co/tUtlaSSUvf — Dim🐊 🇧🇬 (@Dimyx_) September 18, 2023

The man left his pregnant wife at home to try and vulture a major that Djokovic missed because he chose not getting vaccinated over winning slams😂 https://t.co/9WxbSeNvmk — 10-8 (@108InThe5th) September 18, 2023

Says the guy who supported his biggest rival being deported from the Australian Open just so he could get the record.

https://t.co/n6BGCitqmB — Sam Street (@samstreetwrites) September 18, 2023

Last time I checked it wasn't Djokovic who left his wife who had a complicated pregnancy and a new born child in a hospital bed to go and vulture the USO only to get dumped out by Tiafoe in R4 and then claim that he had "more important things to worry about" than tennis 😭😭 https://t.co/jyw0uPSJUe — ryan (@holdentheblues) September 18, 2023

I think Nadal lost the rights to patronize Djokovic for wanting to hold all of the records when he was the one who underwent some incredibly risky procedures such as burning off nerves and putting his foot to sleep with injections just so that he could win RG last year lol https://t.co/andaJWItTa — Srihari (@srihariravi_12) September 18, 2023

Just congratulate him and move on.

What kind of bitterness is this smh https://t.co/nE3MiQaFfY — Daniel Koranteng (@Dani77k) September 18, 2023

The bitterness because he held the asterisked record for only a year 🤣, https://t.co/x2UzcLdKE1 — Vansh (@Vanshagar24) September 18, 2023

🇪🇸 Rafael Nadal speaking tonight, on Novak Djokovic and Major events in general [in Spanish]:

“I think Djokovic lives it in a more intense way.

For him, it would have been a greater frustration not to achieve it [the Major Tally]”

Source: Movistar+ 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/ezPjsn7nB5 — Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) September 18, 2023