Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are two of the most successful players in the history of men’s tennis.
Djokovic has won 24 Major titles, more than any other player, and continues to break new ground on a yearly basis.
Even in 2024, his first season without a Grand Slam title in seven, he achieved a lifelong dream as Djokovic won Olympic Gold at Roland Garros.
On the other hand, Nadal retired from tennis this year, but not before picking up 22 Grand Slam titles of his own, 14 of which came at the French Open, a record that most agree will remain untouched.
It’s tough to say which of the two was ‘better’, but one key figure in the world of tennis has picked an area where Nadal has a clear edge over his Serbian rival.
Italian Tennis Federation chief Angelo Binaghi says Rafael Nadal is more loved than Novak Djokovic
Speaking in an interview with La Nuova, Italian Tennis Federation chief Angelo Binaghi was full of praise for the now-retired Nadal.
“The best of all, by far, especially off the court,” he said.
“In 24 years I have crossed paths with him many times, between one tournament and another.
“[Rafael] Nadal is truly a special tennis player: a true gentleman, polite, beloved by the fans, someone who has given so much to tennis and has inspired generations of people to love him.”
Binaghi went on to explain why the Spaniard was is more beloved than his two greatest rivals.
“In my opinion even more than [Roger] Federer, who in person, in my experience, does not have the same kindness and sympathy as Nadal,” he said.
“The same goes for Djokovic: certainly the best tennis player in the world, but who in my opinion does not have the sporting and human depth of Nadal.”
Unsurprisingly Binaghi also spent time talking about Italian star Jannik Sinner, who finished 2024 as world number one.
The Italian Tennis Federation chief looked back on his first meeting with the 23-year-old, and what impressed him most about the youngster.
“We saw each other in the locker room during the Next Generation of the ATP Finals in 2019,” said Binaghi.
“He was the first Italian to win this competition, and so I went to congratulate him.
“He struck me for his education and simplicity, on the court you could already see his enormous value, from a technical point of view he was of a very high level.
“It was the period in which [Carlos] Alcaraz had exploded, and everyone was obsessed with the Spaniard.
“To those who said, maybe we could have someone like him in Italy, I replied: [Jannik] Sinner for life, give him time, and we’ll talk about it again.
“Sinner has something special.”
