“He goes because I’m still going” - Novak Djokovic on his ‘best’ and ‘biggest’ rival Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic believes that his greatest rival, Rafael Nadal, is still going strong because he himself is going strong and vice versa. The Serbian reckons that they both push each other to fight for the biggest titles.

The two legends are locked on 22 Grand Slam titles each in a race to win the highest number of singles Major titles in the history of men's tennis.

Novak Djokovic joined Nadal at 22 Grand Slam titles by lifting the 2023 Australian Open in January. The entire tennis world is waiting with bated breath to see which one of the two titans finishes at the helm of the record.

Speaking in an interview with Tennis TV ahead of the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships, Djokovic called Nadal his ‘best’ and ‘biggest’ rival in the sport. The two giants have played each other a whopping 59 times, the highest number of times any two players have locked horns in the history of the sport.

“Well, best rival that I ever had, biggest rival that I ever had,” said the Serb when asked on his rivalry with Nadal. “We played, what, 59 times against each other, I mean, the most that any two players faced each other in the history of the game.”

Novak Djokovic also expressed his happiness that they both are still formidable and challenging the youngsters for the biggest title. He also opined that both 22-time Grand Slam winners are still going because of each other.

“We still keep going strong,” he said. “I’m happy that we both are challenging the young guns for the biggest titles. And I think that probably there is also a big reason why we still compete on a high level is because, you know, he goes because I’m still going, or other way round.

“I think that’s great about this rivalry,” he continued. “And I feel like many people around the world who follow sports and tennis, they still want us to keep going, until we can’t go anymore!” he laughed.

Speaking about the 2023 Roland Garros, he opined that the Spaniard is a natural favorite on clay.

“He’s always, of course, the main favorite on any clay court event, particularly Paris. Let’s see, we both want to peak there, no doubt about it. So, let’s see what happens.”

Novak Djokovic stacks up another record to his name by overtaking Steffi Graf in most weeks at No.1

Novak Djokovic overtakes Steffi Graf's record

Novak Djokovic keeps cementing his place in the history books. On February 27, 2023, the 35-year-old surpassed Steffi Graf’s record of 377 weeks as World No.1.

He has now spent 378 weeks at the helm of the World Rankings, the highest by any player, male or female. He already holds the record for most weeks as No. 1 in the men’s ranking after overtaking Roger Federer’s 310 weeks in March 2021.

"Of course, with your love and great strength that you have given me over the years, I’ve managed to achieve many fantastic achievements throughout my career," he said in a video for the fans. "The most recent one [is] breaking the record [with] 378 weeks on No. 1 [in the] rankings, surpassing one of the greatest, most legendary tennis players — both men and women — that ever played, Steffi Graf. So I’m flattered, obviously extremely, extremely proud and happy for this achievement."

The World No. 1 returns to action at the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships, an ATP 500 event, where he is gunning for a sixth title.