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Djokovic has ‘view’ on Nadal’s team after family member’s controversial remark

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Djokovic has ‘view’ on Nadal’s team after family member’s controversial remark

Novak Djokovic has spent much of the past 15 years locked in a battle with Rafael Nadal, with the pair both fighting to be regarded as the greatest male player of all time

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal has been a fascinating rivalry for tennis fans(POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

“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.

Toni Nadal’s comments may have gone down like a lead balloon(Getty Images)

His recent surgery means he is now facing a race against time to be fit for Wimbledon and the Olympics, the latter of which he has never won a medal in.

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