"The question not only insulting Rafa but also to Novak" - Tennis fans ridicule question posed to Novak Djokovic regarding his biggest rival

Novak Djokovic was recently asked who his biggest rival on tour would be after Roger Federer's departure. And Djokovic was in no mood to consider anyone other than Rafael Nadal, a sentiment that was later echoed by several tennis fans.

Djokovic and Nadal were on the same team this past weekend at the Laver Cup, even as fellow 'Big 3' member Federer bid farewell to the sport. In light of Federer's retirement, Djokovic was asked by an interviewer about who he considerd his biggest rival going forward, even throwing World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz into the mix.

The Serb was clear in his response, stating that as long as Nadal was around, he would remain his biggest competition on tour.

"Well, Nadal is still there, right? It's still Rafa, obviously. As long as he plays, he's still my biggest rival," Djokovic said in response to a question, according to Cadena SER.

Tennis fans reacted in the same vein and many opined that the question itself made no sense as Alcaraz cannot be considered in the same league as Djokovic and Nadal just yet. Djokovic and Nadal have been at the top of the sport for many years, while the 19-year-old Alcaraz is just getting started.

"The question not only insulting Rafa but also to Novak. How can Novak one of the top player for decade in tennis considering a 19 years old to be his rival?" one fan wrote on Twitter.

Another fan claimed that Djokovic always considered Nadal his biggest rival even when his rivalry with Federer was ongoing.

"Tbh even where roger was playing, Novak considered Rafa his biggest rival," read another tweet.

Here are a few more reactions from tennis fans on the topic:

"These weeks of the Laver Cup particularly are strengthening the bonds" - Novak Djokovic on his equation with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Laver Cup 2022 - Day One

Novak Djokovic later opened up about the importance of having a healthy rivalry in the sport and reflected on his equation with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The Serbian great feels that showing respect and admiration towards rivals and fellow greats of the sport is a key responsibility for an athlete.

Djokovic stressed that intense on-court rivalries and respectful off-court equations can co-exist. On that note, the 21-time Grand Slam champion believes the 2022 Laver Cup played a role in strengthening his bond with his rivals.

"Look, as Roger said, co-existing in this environment with respect and admiration for each other is something that I feel like we can all do, and we are, in a way, responsible to do. I think it's something that is rational and expected," Djokovic said during a press conference.

"It's also fair play. I mean, those are the values that we all try to live by in the sport. And in the end of the day we are competitors. We go out there against each other. We want to win matches, but off the court, it doesn't mean that we should never speak to each other. Actually, I feel like these weeks of the Laver Cup particularly are strengthening the bonds," he added.

The Laver Cup was Djokovic's first tournament since Wimbledon. The 35-year-old won his first two matches, a singles contest against Frances Tiafoe followed by a doubles contest with Matteo Berrettini as his partner.

He then lost to Felix Auger-Aliassime on Sunday and later revealed that he has been struggling with a wrist injury.

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