Nadal Denies Djokovic And He Are Enemies

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 31st July 2013

Nadal Denies Djokovic And He Are Enemies

epa03758438 Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts during his first round match against Steve Darcis of Belgium for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 24 June 2013. EPA/ANDY RAIN |

Rafael Nadal has interrupted his post-Wimbledon training and holiday to deny reports in the Serbian press that he and rival Novak Djokovic have somehow become mortal enemies off the court. Outspoken Srdjan Djokovic, father of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic, told Serbian media that his son and Nadal no longer get along.

The high-profile pair of rivals have met 35 times, with Nadal winning

20 matches, including four of the last five dating to last season. The elder Djokovic charged: “Rafael Nadal was Novak’s best friend while he (Nadal) was winning. When things changed, they were no longer friends.”

Nadal told media on his home island of Mallorca that he and Novak get along fine and advised Srdjan: “If he wants to know how I get along with Nole, he should better ask his son. My relationship with Novak has always been very good and it still is.”

“I’ve lost lots of matches against him and vice-versa, but we’ve never had a problem. People are entitled to their opinions. It’s not my place to respond to anyone, especially without having heard or read these comments.”

Nadal also dropped a big hint that he is hoping to play both next week’s Masters 1000 in Montreal as well as the week after in Cincinnati. Speculation in the Spanish sporting press by the Marca tabloid had suggested that the No. 4 would play Montreal and rest his knees during the Cincinnati week to be fresh for the US Open from August 26.