Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal has congratulated Novak Djokovic after the Serb matched his Grand Slam record at the Australian Open.

If people see me this way, of course it's very flattering because I know that I give as much effort and energy into trying to win slams as anybody else." "Of course I am motivated to win as many slams as possible. It comes after the Serb [equalled the Spaniard's all-time record of 22 Grand Slam titles](/sport/tennis/1727728/Novak-Djokovic-wins-Australian-Open-title-Rafa-Nadal-Grand-Slam-record-Stefanos-Tsitsipas) to make the GOAT race as tight as ever.

One member of tennis royalty paid tribute to another on Monday as Rafael Nadal joined in the legions of stars celebrating Novak Djokovic in recognition of ...

[Wimbledon](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/wimbledon) (where he has seven titles) and the U.S. And he's already making up for lost time as he looks to eke ahead of Nadal and [Roger Federer](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/roger-federer) in majors accrued for the first time in his career. Open](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/us-open-tennis) last year. Even so, Nadal continues to prove himself a man of honour along the way, revelling in his rival's most recent feat ahead of a potential showdown in Paris. Not to mentioned 'Nole' ended his tournament with a streak of 14 consecutive sets won, playing arguably some of the best tennis of his career in the process. With injuries accumulating and retirement rumours ramping up, one imagines only a 15th French Open title would prevent Djokovic from snatching that lead this year. If there wasn't already a sense that Djokovic will soon become the outright king of the Grand Slams, his latest triumph in Melbourne only made it appear more inevitable. Djokovic, 35, applied the finishing touches to his majestic mauling of the competition in Melbourne, extending his own record tally with a 10th title Down Under. It was long suspected the new world No. But despite giving up vital ground in such an important race, Nadal proved magnanimous when he dedicated a post to his long-time rival. [tennis](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/) world would forgive [Rafael Nadal](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/rafael-nadal) for feeling some resentment at [Novak Djokovic](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/novak-djokovic)'s latest title at the [Australian Open](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/australian-open) on Sunday. [beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/tennis/novak-djokovic-wins-australian-open-29077681) to draw level with his major record.

Will they play Indian Wells and the Miami Open? Djokovic and Nadal are now both level on 22 Grand Slam titles, two clear of Roger Federer. The next major is the ...

Then it will be all eyes on his fitness during the clay season as he gears up for a shot at another French Open title and the chance to regain the lead in the all-time Grand Slam standings. “You know, he loves the competition, he loves the process, and he loves the sport and we love him for that. Six weeks from the date Nadal lost to McDonald would be March 1, and Indian Wells starts on March 8. [a recent update he wrote on Twitter](https://www.eurosport.co.uk/tennis/rafael-nadal-on-course-for-return-to-action-in-the-spring-after-medical-examination-in-barcelona_sto9354482/story.shtml): “Today I have been at the Tecknon Tennis Clinic in Barcelona where they have carried out some tests on me. Djokovic is likely to begin his clay campaign at the Masters 1000 in Monte Carlo on April 9. The Melbourne results are confirmed and the deadlines remain the same. Nadal is recovering from a hip flexor injury that derailed his chances of defending his Australian Open title. Djokovic returned to action at the ATP 500 last year after missing the Australian Open due to his vaccinations status. If he misses out on both ATP Masters 1000 events he will not have played either since 2019, and will likely have all of March off. If Djokovic doesn't play Indian Wells or Miami he could lose his world No. “As it stands today I am still signed in for the Dubai tournament, which is in a month’s time. “I’m going to do some medical check-ups in the next few days.