Tennis heavyweights Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have had as many battles away from the court as they have on it.
Over the past 15 years, the pair have been huge rivals. At times, there have been some fierce exchanges with each other over the net and the press conference microphones.
Djokovic’s 2024 schedule has become uncertain after a nasty knee injury at the French Open threw his summer into uncertainty. The Serbian player had to pull out of Roland Garros before his French Open quarter-final match with Casper Ruud due to a torn medial meniscus in his right knee.
This has led to fans digging up old comments made by Nadal’s uncle, Toni, who once joked about wishing injuries on his nephew’s competitors.
Novak Djokovic’s surgeon breaks silence to deliver worrying Wimbledon message.
“Now, what we need is, we need an injury of Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and maybe Daniil Medvedev,” Nadal Sr told the Majorca Daily Bulletin earlier this year, via Daily Express. “We need that many. . .a lot of problems and then Rafa can play really good.”
While clearly meant as a joke – and even a compliment to his nephew’s rivals – some viewed the comment as insensitive. These remarks have resurfaced following Djokovic’s recent injury.
The Serbian endured numerous physical battles at Roland Garros, including five-set marathon battles against Lorenzo Musetti and Francisco Cerundolo. After missing out on the Australian Open title, Djokovic could be staring down a year devoid of grand slam glory for the first time since 2017 if his recovery doesn’t go to plan.
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