Nadal: "That's why Djokovic is the best".
Rafael Nadal spoke at length to AS about one of his greatest rivals: Novak Djokovic.
According to the Spaniard, what has made the difference between him and the Serb is the latter's ability to stay injury-free: "He's the one who's managed to stay injury-free the longest.
When you don't have any limitations or major injuries that last over time, it doesn't just affect your physical level, it also generates a mental level: an absence of fear of injury or slipping.
Djokovic slides fearlessly on hard court, just as Carlos (Alcaraz) does today. Because they're not afraid of doing it yet, and they can do it.
I did it at the beginning of my career, but of course, when the going gets tough, you can't do it anymore, so there are limits that appear along the way and you have to look for shortcuts to continue to be competitive in other ways.
This has enabled Novak to maintain his physical, tennis and mental level for longer.
It's not an excuse, it's why he's the best and why he's really earned it."
