Novak Djokovic recently lavished praise on Rafael Nadal's resilience during his injury hiatus and hoped to play him at least one more time on the ATP Tour.
Djokovic has since been quizzed on his choice of venue for a potential last ride, which would be an astonishing 60th head-to-head meeting between them. Djokovic and Nadal have faced each other at least once every year between 2006 and 2022, with the Serbian leading the series 30-29.
Because of Nadal's hip injury and subsequent surgery in 2023, tennis fans did not get to see the heavyweight contest between them this season. Djokovic and Nadal have graced the biggest stages in tennis and in many high-stakes matches in the past 15 years - a rivalry that has defined an era.
As Nadal is painstakingly working to return to the tour in 2024, Djokovic admits it is the "best news" for tennis. Nadal will turn 38 next year, and it remains a mystery what his schedule will look like and for how long he intends to play.
While tennis fans are hoping to have their thirst quenched by what they call a "Rafole" rivalry, Djokovic has admitted it would be "nice" for the sport to witness this intriguing 60th battle. In an interview with Marca, Djokovic has no preference for the venue for their "last dance."
But given what Nadal has accomplished at Roland Garros (won a record 14 French Opens), he is not shying away from facing him there again although Djokovic stated he would have no problem playing the Spanird on any part of the world.
"I think a lot of people would like it to be at Roland Garros. Why not? Although if you give me a choice I would say anywhere else. Roland Garros wouldn't be bad, but Nadal is the player who has won there the most times in the history of the tournament."
"I think anywhere would be amazing for us and for the tennis world. It would be kind of like a last dance. I don't know how many more times we'll have the chance to play each other or if we're going to play each other. I hope we do because that's what everybody wants and I do too."
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