Former Spanish tennis star Alex Corretja recently offered some insight into one of the sport’s greatest rivalries.
Nadal and Djokovic have dominated tennis in recent years, alongside the recently retired Roger Federer. And both have won the most men’s Grand Slam singles titles in history. With Novak’s recent win at the 2023 Australian Open, he tied Nadal with 22 titles.
And while Alex believes the two have mutual respect for each other, he also feels that, given their rivalry, it is difficult for them to be friends. In a recent radio interview, Corretja said: “I think that Nadal and Djokovic have a respectful relationship, but I don’t see them going to dinner together to discuss situations.”
“In tennis, everyone is very close to their team. The same thing happened to us. They have different habits, you have different schedules, another way of being.”
“Just as Federer and Nadal had a rivalry but turned it into something closer, Djokovic and Nadal have been on opposite paths at the level of ideals and sharing things with the fans.”
Alex mentioned his own relationship and rivalry with Carlos Moya, who now coaches Rafael Nadal, stating they found it difficult to remain friends while competing against each other. “I think they both have a very deep vision of the sport, they have given everything.”
“We are talking about one of the greatest rivalries in sports history. I don’t know if it’s so easy to be the best friend of someone with whom you risk so many things.”
“Moya and I were great friends, he beat me in the Roland Garros final, and I beat him in the Masters final. Unintentionally, there comes a time when you stop giving clues because you don’t want to make it easier for the other if you have concerns, and you stop being so close…Well, imagine what happens with Rafa and Novak.”
“They respect each other, I don’t think they have a friendship of sending each other WhatsApps, something that Roger and Rafa did, they were more relaxed. The most important thing of all is that there is mutual respect.”