Nadal Can Challenge Djokovic and Get Back to 'Winning More' According to Ivanisevic

Monday, 12 June 2023 at 20:00

Updated at Thursday, 25 January 2024 at 09:57

byAlex Waite

Novak Djokovic's coach, Goran Ivanisevic, has backed Rafael Nadal to return to action and push for Grand Slams once again in the future.

Nadal missed out on defending his 2022 title at this season's Roland Garros, while Djokovic took full advantage of the Spanish player's absence and notched a record 23rd Grand Slam title. However, there was no bitterness from Nadal towards his rival as the 37-year-old, who remains on 22 career Grand Slam titles, shared his congratulations with Djokovic after the French Open win.

Currently, Nadal remains out of action following a recent surgery, and he is unlikely to return to the court before the end of the 2023 season. However, Djokovic's coach, Ivanisevic, told reporters at Roland Garros that Nadal is likely to get back on the court and possibly match Djokovic's 22 career Slams.

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"I'm really sorry that Rafa is not here, but I say a long time ago before even I became member of his team that him and Rafa, they're going to go over 22. I am hoping Rafa coming back winning one more, and Novak is only player who can win calendar Grand Slam. He was one match away two years ago, so he has a chance this year."

The current time on Nadal's recovery is expected to be five months, which could leave the door open for Djokovic to potentially secure two more major titles before the end of the season.

At present, Djokovic is in contention to win the calendar Grand Slam - all four major tournament titles throughout the year - and Ivanisevic feels more success is not out of the question for his player.

"I don't know is a goal with him, you know. You need to ask him. It's incredible, you know. If I go back last year in Australia where all this, I say how I call it, s*** started, and then slowly we didn't know what to do. And now he's with 23 Grand Slams, and it's no end."

"But it's still, you know, long way. But, you know, Grand Slams are the goal. I don't know how many, but yeah, I think he has in his body a lot more."