Novak Djokovic faced an interesting question from Serbian media following his triumphant victory over Rafael Nadal at the Olympics. The 37-year-old Serbian was asked if he views Nadal as “his brother,” to which Djokovic responded with utmost honesty, revealing that while there is a “huge mutual respect” between them, there is no brotherhood.
The clash between Djokovic and 38-year-old Nadal marked their 60th meeting on the tennis court, a momentous occasion that took place at Roland Garros. This particular venue holds great significance for Nadal, as he is considered an icon at the prestigious French Open. Djokovic, on the other hand, had struggled for years to break through against the Spaniard at this very location.
In their recent encounter at the Paris Olympics, Djokovic emerged victorious with a scoreline of 6-1, 6-4, further improving his head-to-head record against Nadal to 31-29. Throughout his career, Djokovic has often referred to Nadal as his “biggest rival,” showcasing the intensity of their on-court battles.
Following this momentous win, Djokovic reflected on their iconic rivalry when questioned by Serbian reporters about the nature of their relationship. While he admitted that they are not brothers, Djokovic expressed optimism about the possibility of developing a friendship with Nadal once their professional careers come to an end.
“There is no brotherhood between us, it is more of a rivalry, collegiality, mutual respect because of everything we have achieved during our careers,” Djokovic shared with the Serbian media. “It is very difficult to be close when we are each other’s biggest rivals. I don’t want to share ‘inside’ information that could be used against me in our matches.”
Despite the fierce competition on the court, Djokovic’s comments shed light on the underlying respect and admiration that exists between two titans of the sport. As they continue to battle for titles and records, it’s clear that Djokovic and Nadal’s relationship transcends mere competition, hinting at a future camaraderie that may blossom once their tennis days are behind them.
