Novak Djokovic has praised Rafael Nadal for playing on a ‘much higher level’ against Alexander Zverev than his previous outing at the Italian Open.
Nadal has admitted that he doesn’t know how much longer he will play with an early suggestion that he will look to retire in 2024.
A further setback at the start of the year raised further doubts on Nadal’s ability to continue, but he returned in time for the claycourt season to play the French Open.
Nadal showed signs of his former self in Madrid where he beat No 10 seed Alex de Minaur in straight sets before losing in the round-of-16.
Novak Djokovic was impressed by Rafael Nadal’s display
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But he struggled in the Italian Open, where he lost convincingly to Hubert Hurkacz in the second round.
How Nadal would play in a five-set format remained a mystery and he was given a difficult first-round match against world No 3 Zverev.
The German got the job done in straight sets, but the scoreline didn’t tell the full story as Nadal came close to winning the second set.
Djokovic was in the stands to watch his old rival back in action as well as top stars Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek.
And the 24-time Grand Slam champion was impressed by what he saw from Nadal.
“I think he played very well compared to what we saw from his performance in – where was it? – in Rome and where he played in Barcelona,” Djokovic said.
“I think he played really on a much higher level. Even though he lost in straight sets, the second and third were really close.
“He could have easily won one of those two sets, and maybe the match was going in a different direction.
“But he was a bit unlucky with the draw, because Zverev is in great form, winning Rome, and he was serving extremely well.
“It’s tough to play Sascha when he’s feeling the ball so well.”
Nadal’s exit from Roland Garros led to questions on whether he had played his last-ever French Open match.
Rafael Nadal isn’t sure if he will be back at Roland Garros
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Speaking last year, Nadal indicated that 2024 would be his final year on tour before retirement.
But Nadal appears to have found a second wind and is reconsidering his original retirement plan.
“I don’t know if it’s going to be the last time that I’m going to be here in front of all you,” Nadal said on court after losing to Zverev.
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Novak Djokovic is through to the third round of the French Open
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“I am not 100 per cent sure.
“If it’s last time, I enjoy it. The crowd have been amazing through the whole week of preparation.
“The feelings I have today are difficult to describe in words, but for me so special to feel the love of the people the way that I felt in the place that I love the most.”