The tennis world would forgive Rafael Nadal for feeling some resentment at Novak Djokovic's latest title at the Australian Open on Sunday.
However, the 22-time Grand Slam champion displayed only honour as the Serb beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to draw level with his major record. 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.
Djokovic's comeback crown in Australia means he and injury-plagued Nadal will head into the 2023 French Open both vying to emerge as clear leaders in men's major trophies won. But despite giving up vital ground in such an important race, Nadal proved magnanimous when he dedicated a post to his long-time rival.
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“Amazing achievement Nole," wrote the 36-year-old on his Instagram early Monday. "Many congrats to you and your team. Well deserved. Enjoy Nole!”
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. While there's only a year between him and his Spanish nemesis, the pair's prospects appear drastically different at the start of a new calendar year.
While Nadal struggled to stave off a hip flexor injury and was ousted in the second round by American Mackenzie McDonald, Djokovic dropped just one set from the 22 he played at the tournament. 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.
It was long suspected the new world No. 1 would return reinvigorated in 2023 after his non-vaccinated status caused him to miss both the Australian Open and the U.S. Open last year. And he's already making up for lost time as he looks to eke ahead of Nadal and Roger Federer in majors accrued for the first time in his career.
But while Djokovic is the undeniable king of the Australian Open with a record 10 triumphs, Nadal is hoping for a return to his own stomping grounds at Roland Garros in May. 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.
Even then, the Serb's success at Wimbledon (where he has seven titles) and the U.S. Open (where he's made the final in eight of his last 11 appearances) means an overtake could still be in the offing. 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.
