Tennis pundit explains how Rafael Nadal’s retirement could impact Novak Djokovic for the rest of his career
The tennis world has been hit hard since Rafael Nadal announced his retirement from tennis a week ago.
The Spaniard will bid farewell to the sport after 23 years following the conclusion of November’s Davis Cup finals.
Rafael Nadal claimed 22 Grand Slam championships throughout his illustrious career and he did so with such passion and flair.
He defeated great rival Novak Djokovic to win some of those titles and their rivalry goes down in tennis history as one of the greatest.
In what ways can Rafael Nadal’s retirement impact Novak Djokovic?
In the past some tennis players have admitted how they have been impacted by a rival leaving the sport. John McEnroe was never the same after his biggest rival Bjorn Borg shockingly retired from tennis at the age of 25 in 1981.
Nadal was overcome with emotion as she shed tears alongside Roger Federer when the Swiss Maestro retired at the 2022 Laver Cup.
Djokovic has since admitted to feeling a sense of emptiness as his biggest rivals leave the sport, and Tennis Podcast member Matt Roberts thinks what will take a significant toll on Djokovic moving forward.
In fact, he made a bold prediction regarding how much longer the Serbian will continue to play professional tennis. “We have to take into the context of Nadal retiring. I genuinely think that has an impact on Djokovic,” Matt Roberts said.
“He gave a great quote saying part of me leaves with them, talking about Federer, Nadal and Murray all retiring recently. If he doesn’t have payoff I think in the first half of next year I think he’s suddenly going to feel a bit lonely like out there.
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“Without his biggest rivals he’s got these two new younger rivals who at this stage he’s struggling to beat, I think next year for Novak Djokovic is going to be so interesting.
“I’m kind of leaning towards that we might not be seeing Novak Djokovic for much beyond next year, that’s kind of just how it feels to me right now.”
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic of Team Europe arrive at the Gala Dinner at Somerset House ahead of the Laver Cup at The O2 Arena on September 22, …
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup
Novak Djokovic told what he needs to find to beat Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner again
During the latest episode of the Tennis Podcast the panel debated whether Djokovic has lost his motivation now he has achieved everything in the game.
Winning the Olympic gold medal was the one title Djokovic craved more than any other, and he finally achieved that goal in August.
In what his best performance of the season, Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz 7-6, 7-6 to be
come Olympic champion in Paris.
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