"Can't give praise without mentioning injuries, so salty";"Pathetic" - Novak Djokovic fans annoyed by Rafael Nadal's 'backhanded compliment' for Serb

Novak Djokovic loyalists have lashed out at Rafael Nadal over the Spaniard recently highlighting how remaining injury-free helped facilitate the Serb's tennis longevity. According to Djokovic's fans, Nadal's admission stemmed from a place of bitterness, even though the Spaniard hailed the Serb as the "best".

Djokovic and Nadal produced the most prolific rivalry in men's tennis history. The pair clashed on 60 occasions, with the Serb winning 31 of those encounters. Their last competitive match came in the second round of the men's singles event at the 2024 Paris Olympics. On that occasion, eventual gold medalist Djokovic comfortably swept past a below-par Nadal.

However, throughout their respective careers, the Serb and the Spaniard's injury fortunes have been radically different. Even though Novak Djokovic has suffered his own fair share of injuries, Rafael Nadal had to contend with a far greater variety of them, and they often led to him withdrawing from several Majors and other prestigious events. Many put this down to how the two chose to maintain their respective selves.

The Serb made serious changes to his lifestyle choices early on in his career and still maintains them. He has also been, for the most part, cautious regarding managing his schedule, especially in recent years. Meanwhile, the Spaniard's relentlessly aggressive style of play and tendency to complete matches by playing through pain have come back to haunt him on multiple occasions.

Recently, Nadal, who is set to retire following his outing for Spain at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals, acknowledged his great rival's achievements and hailed him as the "best". However, the 22-time Major winner also pointed out the fact that the Serb did not have to deal with many injuries, possibly drawing a contrast to his own injury woes.

"He's (Djokovic's) a player who has managed to maintain a very high level and improve every year. The numbers show he is the best, which means his tennis has also been the best. And he's been the most injury-free, which allowed him to maintain his physical, mental and tennis levels longer than anyone. That's why he's the best, and he's earned it," Nadal told Spanish magazine AS.

However, the 24-time Major winner's fans on X were less than impressed with what they perceived as a 'backhanded compliment' from the Spaniard. Nadal has aired such views before as well, and several fans of the Serb were annoyed with the Spaniard bringing it up yet again.

"He cant give praise without mentioning injuries. Hes still soo salty no matter how much he tries to be nice. Hes not humble in the slightest. Shame," a fan wrote.

"Nadal is a pathetic human being. Only the blind can't see through his thinly veiled backhanded compliments," commented another.

"Very nice words but could’ve done without the “injury-free” backhanded compliment. There are far bigger reasons why Novak was able to maintain such a high level, his diet and discipline for example. So that’s a little salty from Rafa, but it’s fine. I hope in time he gives the same kind of respect to Novak as he gets from him," another fan chimed in.

There were others that suggested that even while injured, Nadal was almost always available for tournaments on clay, his favored surface. Some also opined that Djokovic was either disqualified or ruled out from multiple big tournaments. According to these fans, had the 24-time Major winner been allowed to participate at these events, his title haul would have been even greater.

"Nadal bemoaning his injuries, these are part and parcel of sport and part of the preparation, fitness and diet routines of an athlete. Djokovic was unfairly defaulted from the 2020 USO, banned from playing 2022 Aus Open and 2022 USO he was the red hot favourite to win them too," wrote one fan.

"I wouldn’t call it “nothing but praise” Salty as always Brining “injuries” That rarely or ever barred him from playing on clay," another stated.

"Flogging the same old "poor me, I would've been the best if only I stayed injury free"... Should've stayed clean like Novak, not jump at every vaccine, painkiller & whatever other needles they offered out there," yet another weighed in.

In the aftermath of Djokovic's title triumph at the 2023 US Open, which marked his 24th Grand Slam title, Nadal had said that the Serb could have been frustrated if he had not won the most number of Majors in men's tennis history.

"Novak Djokovic lives more intensely" - Rafael Nadal on Serb's possible motivation to smash men's tennis' Grand Slam records

Novak Djokovic (L) and Rafael Nadal (R) (Source: Getty)

In a 2023 interview with Movistar Plus, Rafael Nadal opined that Novak Djokovic would probably have been frustrated had he not become the men's tennis player with the most Major titles. The Spaniard suggested that this stemmed from the Serb's 'intense' way of living life. Nadal aired this opinion following Djokovic winning his 24th Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open.

"I'm not frustrated for a simple reason. I believe that, within my means, I have done everything possible to ensure that things go as smoothly as possible for me. Novak could be frustrated because he lives everything more intensely and that's why he's the best," Nadal told Movistar Plus in 2023.

Djokovic was later asked about Nadal's opinion, and chose to respectfully disagree with the Spaniard. Recently, the two contested the third-place match at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. After the match, the last time the two faced off before the Spaniard's retirement, the two tennis legends were full of admiration and praise for each other.