ROME, ITALY - MAY 19: Rafael Nadal of Spain shakes hands at the net after his three set victory ... [+]
Add Rafael Nadal to the list of people saying Novak Djokovic is the GOAT
Nadal has given a series of interviews in recent days, and in his latest he clarified his position on Djokovic.
“I believe that numbers are numbers and statistics are statistics,” Nadal said in an interview with AS published Wednesday. “In that sense, I think [Djokovic] has better numbers than mine and that is indisputable.
“This is the truth. The rest are tastes, inspiration, sensations that one or the other may transmit to you, that you may like one or the other more. I think that with respect to titles, Djokovic is the best in history and there is nothing to discuss about that.”
Djokovic, 36, continued to solidify his GOAT status by winning a record-tying 24th Grand Slam singles title at the U.S. Open. He became the oldest man to win the title and tied Margaret Court for the most in men’s or women’s tennis.
LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 07: Rafael Nadal of Spain talks to the Media to announce his withdrawal from ... [+]
Nadal, 37, remains at 22 majors as he eyes a comeback in 2024 following hip surgery earlier this year. Roger Federer, who retired last year, is third among men with 20 Slam titles.
Djokovic leads Nadal 30-29 overall. The Serb leads 15–13 in finals, while Nadal leads 11–7 at the majors, including 5–4 in major finals.
Djokovic also leads Federer 27–23, including 13–6 in finals.
In another interview with Movistar this week, Nadal said Djokovic would have been “frustrated” had he not set the record for most majors.
“I'm not frustrated for a simple reason,” Nadal told Movistar. “I believe that, within my means, I have done everything possible to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible for me.
“Novak could be frustrated because he lives everything more intensely and that's why he's the best.”
Nadal told AS he doesn't want his injury history to be used as an excuse.
“As always, everyone can see the story as they wish, saying that I suffered many injuries,” he said. “Bad luck for me or bad luck that I had my body this way. He has had another one, and in some ways that is also part of the sport. I congratulate him for everything he is achieving, and it doesn't cause me any kind of frustration.”
Nadal reiterated that he is content with where he is now, even if that means never winning another major title
“I said it when I was the one with the most Slams, I said it when we were tied, and I say it now that I am behind: I am not going to be the one who tries, through a personal struggle, to want to be what I am not,” Nadal said. “What is, is, and what is not, is not. I say this: I am very satisfied with everything that I have done.”
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 05: Rafael Nadal of Spain shakes hands with Carlos Alcaraz of Spain after ... [+]
Nadal also chimed in on his fellow Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who beat Djokovic in the Wimbledon final for his second major.
“He has been the world No. 1 until recently,” Nadal said. “Although he's very young right now, practically the only rival I see for him is Djokovic.”
Nadal also said he would like to play doubles with Alcaraz at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“To play doubles with him at the 2024 Olympics?” he said. “I would like to do so and it would be a good motivation, another incentive, for me to be able to close my Olympic career playing with Carlos, with everything he is achieving, with the young people and with the great future he has ahead of him.”