Novak Djokovic clashes with Rafael Nadal’s uncle at US Open – ‘I don’t agree with that’
Novak Djokovic has shut down Toni Nadal’s idea that players of previous eras were better than the current crop of stars, many of whom he has been competing against at the US Open. The Serb has been joined by Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Ben Shelton in the semi-finals, after Rafa Nadal’s uncle made a dig at the current generation of tennis players.
Toni Nadal insisted that in previous years the state of tennis was “more competitive” after the first three Grand Slams of the year went to either Djokovic or Alcaraz – while the pair could meet in Sunday’s final in New York.
Writing for Spanish daily newspaper El Pais, he said: “Years ago, top players were better than now. They were more competitive. Nadal would definitely beat Medvedev, [Andy] Murray beat [Alexander] Zverev, [Stan] Wawrinka beat [Casper] Ruud, [Juan Martin] Del Potro beat [Andrey] Rublev and [David] Ferrer beat [Holger] Rune.”
Not satisfied with calling out the current regime, Toni Nadal also insisted that Djokovic is no longer the player he once was during battles with Roger Federer and his nephew, adding: “And Djokovic is a worse player than five to ten years ago.”
