Novak Djokovic sends elegant message to Rafa Nadal as retirement plans addressed

Jun 04, 2023 at 6:03 PM
Novak Djokovic sends elegant message to Rafa Nadal as retirement plans addressed

Nadal abruptly introduced that he was having an arthroscopic process on his left psoas muscle on Friday evening. The 37-year-old did not get better from the damage he picked up in Australia and was compelled to resort to the working desk.

It additionally got here two weeks after he staged a press convention to verify his withdrawal from the French Open, additionally admitting that subsequent season would possible be his final on tour. And Djokovic has now despatched his nicely needs to his greatest rival, saying the game wanted to see Nadal wholesome.

“It was his birthday yesterday, and he announced that he got his surgery,” the world No 3 stated after reaching a document seventeenth French Open quarter-final. “I got one surgery in my career on the elbow, and I know how hard it is to get back. It’s just one of those things that you don’t want any athlete to go through.”

Referencing his personal elbow surgical procedure in 2018, he continued: “Sometimes I guess it’s necessary. For him it’s been several times now throughout his career. I don’t know what the severity of or the nature of his injury is, but, you know, if he got on a surgery table, it means there was no other solution.” 

And Djokovic was stuffed with reward for his fellow 22-time Grand Slam champion as he stated he hoped to see Nadal fulfil his want of ending his profession on his personal phrases. “So, you know, I really hope that, yeah, his rehabilitation process can go well and that we can see him next season,” he added.

“I think that he’s so important for our game on and off the court, one of the greatest legends of tennis in the history of the game. We want to see healthy Rafa, no question about it, playing for what he has announced his last season. You know, hopefully he’s gonna be able to do that.”

MORE TO FOLLOW

We’ll be bringing you the very newest updates, photos and video on this breaking news story.

For the newest news and breaking news go to: express.co.uk/sport/football. Stay updated with all the large headlines, photos, evaluation, opinion and video on the tales that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter @dexpress_sport – the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account – offering actual news in actual time.

We’re additionally on Facebook @dailyexpresssport – providing your must-see news, options, movies and photos all through the day to love, remark and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.