Rafael Nadal explains why he has not congratulated Novak Djokovic on US Open triumph
The Spaniard, who is recovering from injury, did speak with his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz after his Wimbledon triumph in the summer. But Djokovic has received no such message, though Nadal has since explained that the snub is not because of any negativity towards the Serb – instead it was due to his “ignorance”.
“The truth is that I haven’t sent any message to Djokovic yet out of pure ignorance,” Nadal told Movistar+. “When you win something so important, from experience I know it’s better to take the time to appreciate that message. I’ll send it but I haven’t done it yet.
“Of course, I sent messages to Alcaraz when he won or when he was about to win. The others – on the circuit I don’t have many friends left, I’m from another generation. I talk to [Roger] Federer every now and then.”
At 37, Nadal’s bleak admission that he has few friends left in tennis will only prompt fans’ fears that he will decide to retire sooner rather than later. He has not played professionally since the Australian Open in January and has admitted that the chances of him returning to top form for next year’s first two Grand Slams are slim.
“I want to be back on the court and compete, but I’m not expecting to come back and win Roland-Garros and Australia,” Nadal added. “That looks like very far away, even if not impossible. Things in sport change very quickly.
