Rivalry with Djokovic
“It’s very hard to beat him the way he’s playing right now. But no one is invincible.” Novak Djokovic after his third loss at Roland Garros against Rafael Nadal. He will need another three before finally beating him in the 2015 quarterfinals.
Nadal “is surely the best in history on this ground and one of the best players to have practiced this sport.” Djokovic after a new defeat against Nadal at Roland Garros, in the 2012 final.
“If you want to beat Rafa on his ground, you have to play your best tennis. I gave my best tennis tonight. It has been a privilege to be on court with Rafa for this incredible match.” Djokovic on June 11, 2021 after his victory in the Roland Garros semifinals.
“Our rivalry has allowed both of us to push our limits, we get better at each other.” Djokovic after his Masters victory in November 2013.
Friendship with Federer
“We are going to see him a lot in the future. For me, it was a huge game, because I know what a great player Rafa will be one day.” Federer in 2005 after the Miami Master 1000 final that he won and in which his rivalry with the Spaniard was born.
“Rafael is such a fantastic player that every time I win a Grand Slam I say to myself: take this as an advantage before I win them all.” Federer, having won the Wimbledon final in 2006. Two years later, Nadal would win at the end of one of the greatest matches in history, in his first Grand Slam victory outside of Roland Garros.
“What a match! To my friend and great rival Rafael Nadal, I congratulate you with all my heart.” Congratulatory message from Federer after the Spaniard won the Australian Open in 2022. With that success, the Spaniard added 21 Grand Slam titles, one more than Federer and Djokovic then.
The physical
“It is not the first time that he has shown himself capable of returning to 100% and physically ready, days after being injured and barely able to walk, he has done it several times in his career.” Djokovic after his defeat in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros 2022.
“I thought I beat him at times, but ‘Rafa’ has a thousand lives.” The Spanish Carlos Alcaraz (who will be world number 1 on Monday) after the semifinal of the Indian Wells Masters 1000 in 2022.
Unbeatable… or almost
“Nadal is the best player in the world on clay. A fearsome fighter, who never gives up.” The Argentine Guillermo Coria, in 2005, a few weeks before the Spanish’s first victory at Roland Garros.
“He’s going to win Roland Garros 40 years in a row. He’s going to be 65 and he’s going to keep winning Roland Garros.” The prophecy of the Spanish Nicolás Almagro while playing against Nadal in a quarterfinal duel at Roland Garros in 2008 that he ended up losing 6-1, 6-1 and 6-1. So, ‘Rafa’ had only won three of his 14 titles in Paris.
“To win it, it won’t be necessary for me to be good, it will be necessary for me to be monstrous.” His great childhood rival Richard Gasquet, at the 2013 US Open, before losing in three sets.
“It’s the biggest win of my career, an unforgettable moment. I’ll remember it until the end of my life. It’s a dream come true.” Robin Soderling after becoming the first to defeat Nadal on clay at Roland Garros on May 31, 2009.
uncle word
“Until he was 17 years old, I was the one who decided everything. Then Carlos Costa arrived and his father also came up, each one with their opinions. And the truth is that every year I decide a little less, until the day I decide nothing “. Toni Nadal to the Italian website tennisitaliano.it in 2017.
“My nephew is my nephew. I told Felix when he asked me to train him. I want Rafael to win. If I had to lose it would be less painful because that would mean that the player I work with would have won. I don’t want to make anyone wrong. I’m Rafael’s uncle and he’s more than a nephew. If Felix played against my son, I wouldn’t want to see him win, it’s similar.” Toni Nadal in May 2022 before the Roland Garros match against Rafael Nadal of his new protégé, the Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime, who lost. The Spaniard later won his 14th title.