Novak Djokovic claims 'part of me is leaving with Rafael Nadal'

"Tennis' golden era will go when both take that dreaded call" - Tennis fans react as Novak Djokovic claims 'part of me is leaving with Rafael Nadal'

Modified May 28, 2023 04:41 GMT

Tennis fans were left stunned when Novak Djokovic shared that he felt a part of him was leaving as well after Rafael Nadal announced that the 2024 season might be his final year on the ATP tour.

Ahead of his tournament opener at the 2023 French Open, Djokovic deemed Nadal his "biggest rival." The Serb revealed that the Spaniard's announcement made him question how long he had left in his own career.

"I was saying always that he's my biggest rival. When he announced that he's going to have his last season of his career, I felt part of me is leaving with him too," Djokovic said.

"Yeah, it made me wonder, it made me think about my career and how long I'm going to play," he added.

Several fans lamented the eventual departure of Nadal and Djokovic, recognizing the significant loss their retirement would inflict upon the world of tennis.

"Half of Rafa went with Federer. Half of Novak he claims will go with Nadal. Full of men's tennis' golden era will go when both of them take that dreaded call," a fan tweeted.

Archith

@UtdArc

Half of Rafa went with Federer. Half of Novak he claims will go with Nadal.

Full of men's tennis' golden era will go when both of them take that dreaded call. twitter.com/ozmo_sasa/stat…

Saša Ozmo

@ozmo_sasa

#Djokovic: When he announced that 2024 would be his last, I felt that part of me would leave with him too. He was one of bigger motivational factors in my career, it made me reflecton on my career and I felt emotional.

"Their rivalry elevated both. We fans fought for so long over who is the best but now that Roger is gone and Rafa is on the verge of going out and you know Novak might not be around for more than 3 seasons, it's extremely sad for us tennis fans," a user commented.

Sayan

@Tweets_by_Sayan

@gigicat7_ Their rivalry elevated both. We fans fought for so long over who is the best but now that Roger is gone and Rafa is on the verge of going out and you know Novak might not be around for more than 3 seasons, it's extremely sad for us tennis fans.

Other fans noted how Novak Djokovic's sentiments mirrored the ones expressed by Rafael Nadal at the time of Roger Federer's retirement.

"What Nadal thought about Federer," a fan commented.

MC Owl 🦉

@mickenell

@gigicat7_ What Nadal thought about Federer.

"Dint Rafa say the same last year when Roger retired," another fan chimed in.

Praisy1102

@Praisyy11

@Olly_Tennis_ Dint Rafa say the same last year when Roger retired🤔

Here are some more fan reactions to the Serb's comments:

Ashish Nair

@ashish_nair12

@Olly_Tennis_ The only reason Novak is still playing is Rafa. He has achieved everything else. He thrives on competition & except Rafa no one else is in his league. So once Rafa is gone there is no one really left to compete with him.

Hakaishin

@RhuladSengar

@Olly_Tennis_ Did he really say this? Cause damn. Stuff like this is nice to see. But makes sense, cause he'd have no one to compete for records with anymore.

maliha.

@dilettante_Dr

@Olly_Tennis_ it’s not fun without best rivalries

Jojo Anida

@jdanida19

@gigicat7_ exactly what nadal felt when federer retired...the era of the Big 3 is coming to an end...

S.S

@write2swagatam

It's almost dejavu of scenes of last laver cup. Rafa said something like this for Roger. Djokovic reiterated. It aint no fun on tour without your biggest rivals. It never is.
But as they say all good things come to an end. It was a good ride till it lasted twitter.com/gigicat7_/stat…

Luigi Gatto

@gigicat7_

Djokovic: "When Rafa announced that 2024 would be his last season, I got emotional. I felt that a part of me was leaving with him too. He was one of the biggest motivational factors in my career."

Abhishek

@abhiMCMLXXXV

Similar words that Rafa used when Fed retired! We as fans might squabble about the big3, but they sure hold each other with immense respect! They pushed their limits and brought best out of each other!
What a blessed generation we are to have witnessed this era!!
Gracias Big3!! twitter.com/olly_tennis_/s…

Olly 🎾🇬🇧

@Olly_Tennis_

Djokovic: “When he [Rafael Nadal] said next year would likely be his last, I felt as if part of me was leaving the sport, too. I felt a bit emotional. And it made me wonder how long I will play”

TIEBREAKOVIC

@nervesofsteel9

@Olly_Tennis_ sad that they don't have much time left. tennis will be over when these 2 are gone

sunshine.

@crazyheadimp

@ozmo_sasa Djokovic, he aint retiring in 2024. Don't fall for retirement rumours pls.

Bilal

@billiyboo

Djokovic owes everything to Rafa and Roger. Without them, he would not have been where he was, and even though i did not like him as a player at all (always respected his game tho), he's changed quite a bit recently and now i respect him as a player too. twitter.com/gigicat7_/stat…

Luigi Gatto

@gigicat7_

Djokovic: "When Rafa announced that 2024 would be his last season, I got emotional. I felt that a part of me was leaving with him too. He was one of the biggest motivational factors in my career."

A brief look at Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal's rivalry at French Open

Rafael Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2012 French Open final

Rafael Nadal enjoys a lopsided 8-2 winning record against Novak Djokovic at the French Open.

In their first meeting, Nadal led 6-4, 6-4 in the 2006 quarter-finals in Paris when the Serb was forced to retire mid-match due to a back injury.

The Spaniard registered back-to-back semi-final victories over the Belgrade native in 2007 and 2008. He then defeated the 22-time Grand Slam champion in the 2012 final, in what marked their fourth consecutive Major final clash.

Nadal continued his dominance over the Serb at the French Open in 2013 and 2014 as well, beating the 36-year-old in the semi-final and final, respectively.

The Serb became only the second man to defeat the Spaniard at Roland Garros when he won their quarter-final clash in 2015 in straight sets. However, it was Nadal who came out on top in the 2020 final, before Djokovic notched his second victory over the former World No. 1 in the 2021 semifinal.

Nadal and Djokovic's most recent clash in the 2022 semi-final saw the former emerge as the winner en route to his record 14th French Open title.

What is the foot injury that has troubled Rafael Nadal over the years? Check here

Edited by
Ankush Das