Novak Djokovic names Rafael Nadal as his answer despite them 'not being friends'

Novak Djokovic has revealed that he would put his life in the hands of rival Rafael Nadal, despite the pair not being friends away from the court. The Serb is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, with Djokovic having won a record 24 Grand Slam titles.

There’s very little Djokovic hasn’t achieved in the sport. From title wins, to broken records, the Belgrade-born ace is a living tennis legend. But when asked which tennis player he’d bet his life on winning a singular set, Djokovic offered up Nadal as his answer. Speaking to ATP Tennis TV, Djokovic said while laughing: “Nadal on clay. I think it’s obvious.”

However, Djokovic has been open in the past that he isn’t friends with Nadal - or fellow ‘Big Three’ star Roger Federer - away from the court. Speaking last year, he said: “Personally, I would like to [be friends]. I mean, I know that obviously we didn’t get along so well throughout our careers in, like, off-court.

“And we are not friends because, you know, we’re rivals and it’s difficult as competitors to be very close and kind of share and give insights to you know, to your life or to how you feel because, you know, it could be used against you."

He added: “But we have shared the stage for so many years. And I think the greatest respect is always there, at least from my side, towards them. So yeah, I hope that one day, when the curtains are slightly more closed, that we are, yeah, able to sit down and, and reflect. It would be, it would be amazing.”

That might not be too far away for Djokovic, given Federer has already retired and Nadal is expected to follow at the end of the year. However, Djokovic hasn’t shown any signs of letting up, with the world No.1 still eyeing up yet more titles.

To achieve that though Djokovic will have to improve on his start to 2024, given he’s yet to win an ATP event. Djokovic wasn’t involved in the recent Miami Open, but he has recently split with coach Goran Ivanisevic, as he plots a shake-up to his training programme ahead of the summer. Whether it sparks a change in fortunes remains to be seen, with Djokovic’s return to the court expected to come at this month's Monte-Carlo Masters.