Rafael Nadal Admits Novak Djokovic is the 'Best' Tennis Player of All Time

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have long been rivals on the tennis court but Rafa recently conceded after Novak won the US Open and claimed his 24th Grand Slam title (Rafa’s record stands at 22 Grand Slams).

“I believe that numbers are numbers and statistics are statistics and, in that sense, I think he has better numbers than mine and that is indisputable,” Rafa shared with Spanish daily sports newspaper AS. “It is not beneath me nor do I have an ego big enough to try to disguise a reality that is not. This is the truth.”

Rafa added, “The rest are tastes, inspiration, sensations that one player 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 in that.” (Novak is currently tied with Margaret Court for the all-time record for Grand Slams in the Open era.

Unfortunately, Rafa has been on the mend from injuries the last few seasons and 2024 may be his last year on tour. He shared, “As always, everyone can see the story as they wish, saying that I suffered many injuries. 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.”

Rafa finished off, saying, “What is, is, and what is not, is not. I say this: I am very satisfied with everything that I have done.”