"Djokovic transmits pure passion for everything he does" - Alex Corretja on why the Serbian has often been misunderstood
Former Spanish tennis professional Alex Corretja has spoken highly of Novak Djokovic after his record-extending 10th Australian Open title.
The Serbian put together an impressive run in Melbourne to clinch the Asian-Pacific Major, a win that saw him return to the top of the ATP rankings and go level with Rafael Nadal (22) in the Grand Slam title race.
However, it was not all smooth sailing for him Down Under as he was pulled into controversy, not for his actions but for his father Srdjan's. The 62-year-old was caught on video with pro-Putin protesters, leading to a widespread backlash that culminated in him having to skip watching his son's semifinal and final matches in the stadium.
Djokovic has also dealt with a hamstring injury throughout the Melbourne Major, though many have since wondered if he was really injured or if it was some tactic to lure his opponents into a false sense of security.
Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open with a 3cm tear in his hamstring, per Craig Tiley.
That means 2 of the last 4 Grand Slams have been won by 35-year-old men (Djokovic & Nadal) while playing with significant injuries.
The younger guys must be wondering if it will ever end. https://t.co/hanLvT1FS9
Amidst all this noise, retired pro Corretja has come to the World No. 1's defence, claiming that Djokovic was just “misunderstood” as a player and a person.
“Look how Djokovic celebrated the other day [Australian Open win] and how he hugged his family and especially his brother and his mother. When he hugs his brother, he feels that harmony that works with Pepe Imaz and at that moment Djokovic feels that this work is not in vain,” he told Cadena SER (via Express).
“That hug to his brother is the accumulation of managing many situations for years,” he added. “What Djokovic transmits is pure passion for everything he does. I think that Djokovic has been misunderstood many times, he has a very big soul, beyond his things and his ideals, which he has maintained and respected without deceiving anyone, he has always been very sincere.”
“I don't see them going to dinner together” - Alex Corretja on Novak Djokovic's relationship with Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal shares a unique relationship with Roger Federer. While they are fierce rivals when competing on the court, they seem to share a genuine friendship off it.
This was evident during Federer's retirement ceremony at the 2022 Laver Cup in London, where Nadal and the Swiss maestro were spotted holding hands and bawling. Their relationship has enamored the tennis world for the last few years.
The Spaniard, however, doesn't share the same relationship with Novak Djokovic. While they have no animosity for each other, they are also not the best of friends—a view Alex Corretja also subscribes to.
“I think that Nadal and Djokovic have a respectful relationship but I don't see them going to dinner together to discuss situations,” the former World No. 2 opined.
“In tennis, everyone is very closed to their team,” he added. “The same thing happened to us, they are different habits, you have different schedules, another way of being. Just as Federer and Nadal had a rivalry but turned it into something closer, Djokovic and Nadal have been on opposite paths at the level of ideals and sharing things with the fans.”
Novak Djokovic has become World No.1 in 12th year 👏
Do you think Rafael Nadal will become World No.1 again to get close to Novak Djokovic? 🔥
#NovakDjokovic #RafaelNadal #RogerFederer #Tennis https://t.co/FLyZ1nXWjU
Corretja stated that the two veterans share one of the greatest rivalries the sport has ever seen, which makes it difficult for the two to be best friends.
“I think they both have a very deep vision of the sport, they have given everything. We are talking about one of the greatest rivalries in sports history. I don't know if it's so easy to be the best friend of someone with whom you risk so many things,” he expressed.
To emphasize his point, Corretja drew comparisons with his own experiences from his playing days—notably his rivalry with Carlos Moya, who now serves as Nadal’s coach.
“Moya and I were great friends, he beat me in the Roland Garros final and I beat him in the Masters final Unintentionally, there comes a time when you stop giving clues because you don't want to make it easier for the other if you have concerns and you stop being so close,” he explained.
“Well, imagine what happens with Rafa and Novak,” he added. “They respect each other, I don't think they have a friendship of sending each other whatsapps, something that Roger and Rafa did, they were more relaxed. The most important thing of all is that there is mutual respect.”