“If we could unite them, we would still have a super champion” : Serb’s former trainer believes that Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s skillsets can still make a quality winner
After the retirement of the great Roger Federer in 2022, it was down to the last two members of the ‘Big 3’ to uphold their legacy further. But looking at the grand scheme of things, it has been anything but that.
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have had disappointments in the past two years, especially the Spainard, who has been battling through injuries to participate in major tournaments, just to get sidelined again after suffering a streak of prolonged injuries.
As for the Serbian, he has also faced a few minor injuries here and there, but has been able to stay consistently at the top of the ATP rankings. But this year, apart from his historic gold medal win in the Paris Olympics, the 37-year-old has had tough luck in several tournaments, including the four Grand Slams. They were shared by newcomers Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner this season, making it the first time since 2002 that no member of the ‘Big 3’ has been able to clinch a single Grand Slam title.
Marco Panichi believes Rafael Nadal’s performances have been hindered by injuries, while Novak Djokovic lacks the motivation to push forward
In a recent interview with Tennis Italiano, the Serbian’s former trainer revealed what he thinks is happening recently with possibly the two greatest players in the sport’s history.
“Rafael Nadal has a physical problem, he can’t train consistently. He’s a machine that has traveled many kilometers. Novak Djokovic is healthy, but his motivation is low. If we could unite them, we would still have a super champion.” said Panichi.
Obviously the two veterans are now at the final stages of their careers, as retirement looms sooner rather than later. But Djokovic and Nadal, who believe are each other’s greatest rivals, cannot be underestimated due to the performances they have displayed for well over a decade. Panichi was not wrong with his statement as uniting the skillsets of both veterans can possibly make a formidable rival to any of the current world’s best players.
The Serbian’s former trainer also commended his mentality, and revealed how he keeps himself at the top of his game even at this age, while also saying he loses the hunger in his game if a certain aspect is missing out.
“In every detail Novak Djokovic wants to constantly stay one step ahead of the others. In the type of preparation, in the search for machines and techniques that can allow him to prepare and recover faster, in the care of nutrition. Off the field he is a wonderful, intelligent, funny guy. On the field the Slavic warrior in him comes out, and he needs it to “feed”. If that aspect is missing, he gets a little lost,” the Italian coach added.
Tennis fans may not get to see the duo play much that often nowadays, which eventually makes their return even more special. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have a combined 46 Grand Slam titles in total, as they have cemented themselves in the greatest of all time category.
