Rafael Nadal will be in action at the Citi Open in Washington and his fans simply cannot wait to see him back in court. The Spaniard has not hit the court since his semifinal defeat against Novak Djokovic at the Roland Garros.
With the Tokyo Olympics going on and though the tennis events have ended, Nadal was asked a few questions regarding Djokovic at his press conference. The current World No. 1 failed to win the Gold medal at the Olympics after he lost to German tennis star Alexander Zverev in the semifinals. The loss simply tore him apart as he failed to keep his composure against Pablo Carreno Busta and eventually failed to win even the Bronze medal.
Missing the Olympics Gold medal may have ended his pursuit for the Calendar Golden Slam but Nadal feels that the Serb can still win the US Open and complete the Calendar Grand Slam which is by winning all four Grand Slam events. Nadal admitted that Djokovic is the favourite to win the US Open that is scheduled for later this year.
“What he achieved this year is something, well, amazing,” Nadal said. “I definitely believe that he can do it, without a doubt.”
“He’s already won three, so when you win three, you can win four, without a doubt,” he added. “He’s going to be playing on hard courts, probably his best surface, so why not? Of course, it’s something difficult. [There are] going to be other guys that want to achieve the last Slam of the season. But of course, he’s one of the clear favourites.”
Djokovic came to Tokyo as a favourite to win the Gold medal and when he faltered at the semifinals against Zverev he was broken. He mustered up his courage to play against Pablo Carreno Busta in the Bronze medal match and when things did not go his way, he lost the plot. He threw his racquet towards the stands in an act of anger. His actions raised several eyebrows and a lot of people have given reactions regarding his behaviour.
Rafael Nadal was also asked about his competitor’s act of anger at the Washington press conference. The Spaniard did not support Djokovic as he feels that one must control their emotions as it may often portray them wrongly.
“Luckily there were no people in the stands and nothing else happened, but these are things that happen from time to time,” Nadal said. “You have to try to avoid them. The image is not the best. It is important to avoid this type of situation, and more if you are a reference for many children.”
The 35-year-old found Djokovic’s actions very strange considering he is so successful. But then he added that it displays the Serb’s competitive nature. “In the end he is number one in the world and one of the best in history,” Nadal said. “It is strange that someone, being so successful, reacts in this way from time to time, but in the end he is very competitive and reacts like this.”
