Rafael Nadal "didn't imagine" Novak Djokovic winning three Grand Slam titles in 2023

For the second time in three years, Novak Djokovic went a remarkable 27-1 on the Grand Slam stage.

The Serbian turned 36 in May and showed no signs of slowing down on his way to securing a men’s record-setting 24 major titles and reclaiming the No. 1 ranking.

Djokovic’s trophy haul at the four biggest events this season wasn’t a scenario everyone saw coming, including chief rival Rafael Nadal.

“I imagined Djokovic winning a Grand Slam but I didn't imagine him winning three because I think there is another young generation that is very powerful,” Nadal stated in a translated interview with EFE.

He added, “In the end we all know that Djokovic is what he is and that he has achieved something historic, something that had never been achieved before and all that remains is to congratulate him and in the end he has not surprised me either.”

Nadal, who hasn’t played since January and later underwent left hip surgery, also cleared up the earlier declaration made by Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley. Ten days ago, the Tennis Australia CEO asserted Nadal had "confirmed he will be back" in Melbourne for the opening major tournament of the 2024 season.

“Saying that I am going to be at the Australian Open seems very complicated to say today. In fact I don't know and I'm working to try to recover,” Nadal said. “If I set dates and I don't keep them, I add disappointments that I don't need, because I have already had enough disappointments at a sporting and physical level in recent times.”

Set to turn 38 next June, Nadal also reiterated his interest in teaming up with Carlos Alcaraz for the 2024 Olympics in Paris should his health hold up. He praised Alcaraz for being the “superior” competitor among the emerging generation and also spoke about missing the element of competition beyond the tennis court.

“I have a theory and it is that you can miss things when you feel like you can be there, right? When you see that you can't, because physically you can't, then you can't miss competing,” he said. “You have to live day to day and I have tried to be happy with what I have had and I think I have achieved it in my day to day life.”