Nadal lauds Djokovic’s tenacity ahead of Australian Open final against Alcaraz
Rafael Nadal has admitted he feels Novak Djokovic is still playing tennis because of his monstrous mentality, with the Serb set to lock horns with Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s Australian Open final, reports BritPanorama.
Djokovic, at the age of 38, overcame Jannik Sinner in a five-set thriller on Friday to book his place in the last round. Should he defeat Alcaraz, he would become the oldest player in Australian Open history to secure the title.
Nadal, who has secured 24 Grand Slams, noted that victory over Alcaraz would see Djokovic surpass Margaret Court in the all-time stakes. He acknowledged that Alcaraz, the 22-year-old world No 1 who battled past Alexander Zverev to reach this final, is the favourite heading into the match.
The Spanish icon stated, “I think the favourite is Carlos. He’s young, he has the energy and he’s in his prime. But I mean, Novak is Novak. He’s a very special player.” He acknowledged Djokovic’s remarkable resilience: “I really believe that he is here for one simple reason – because if I don’t get injured, probably I will be here playing too.”
Nadal further praised Djokovic’s commitment, adding, “When you like to do this thing, if you are not injured and if you are not super tired mentally, why wouldn’t you be here? I think it’s a positive example of commitment, of resilience.” He emphasised that despite not being at his physical prime, Djokovic remains a formidable competitor.
While some have dismissed Djokovic as a faded force, citing his last Grand Slam triumph at the US Open in 2023, he is keen to remind critics of his ongoing capabilities. After his victory over Sinner, he remarked, “I never stopped doubting. I never stopped believing in myself. There’s a lot of people that doubt me.”
With their careers intertwined, Djokovic has won five of his nine previous matches against Alcaraz. However, many experts see the Spaniard’s youthful vitality as key to his potential success on Sunday.
The stage is set for a riveting showdown at the Rod Laver Arena, where the clash of generations promises not just a title but a captivating narrative in the ever-evolving tapestry of tennis.
