Tennis: Djokovic Hits Back At Nadal’s ‘More Obsessed’ Remark

Novak Djokovic has hit back at Rafael Nadal’s suggestion that the World No. 1 is “more obsessed” with how many Grand Slam trophies he wins than his rivals.

On Monday, Nadal, who has been one of Djokovic’s biggest rivals over the years, said the Serbian is obsessed with the numbers before adding he didn’t see that as a “negative quality.”

While Nadal is currently tied with Roger Federer in the list of most Grand Slam titles in the men’s singles category (20), Djokovic is next on the list with 18 major titles so far.

Ahead of Djokovic’s opening match at the Belgrade Open, the reporters asked the top-ranked tennis star about Nadal’s comments.

“I cannot speak on his behalf, I do not know the way he thinks, but it is his right to voice an opinion: how he sees me in regards to records, etc,” Djokovic said.

“Personally, I do not feel that I am obsessed with anything in life; what I feel are passion and huge desire,” Djokovic added.

“I am going towards achieving my goals and I have never had a problem verbalizing it. Maybe someone cannot say something and then stick to it, but I never found it hard to say: ‘I want to break that record or reach a certain goal’.”

In the same interview, Djokovic went on to say he has never hesitated to voice his goals as he has always wanted to be No. 1. and win Grand Slam titles.

“When you fulfil one, another one appears. It is my path, and it is unique, just like Rafa’s,”  Djokovic added.

“It is all a matter of perception and interpretation of what one says. I respect Rafa, probably more than any other player in the world; he is the biggest rival I had in my life.”

“Everything he has achieved, his dedication to tennis and the way he goes about practising and tennis in general, these traits of his are worthy of admiration. He knows what sources of motivation he has, I cannot go into that,” he said.

Djokovic is set to take on Kwon Soonwoo in his opening game at the Belgrade Open on Wednesday, while Nadal will kickstart his Barcelona Open campaign later this week. Both the players participated at the Monte-Carlo Masters last week, where Djokovic lost in the last 16 and Nadal crashed out in the quarters.

Chidi Nwoke/IBT.