“I think Djokovic’s blood boils because of Nadal’s victory in Australia”

The Italian tennis player Fabio Fognini has spared no praise for Rafa Nadal after the Balearic conquered the Australian Open and became the first male tennis player to reach 21 Grand Slams.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport Fognini surrendered to Nadal’s strength after winning the Australian Open after the ordeal he experienced due to injuries. “Nadal is an incredible fighter. There are no words to describe what he has done, they are feats that only great champions can achieve.”

In fact, Fognini points to Nadal’s mentality as one of the keys to the Balearic Islands’ triumph. “Nadal has been easy to recover, mentally he is from another planet. With what has happened you can only admire him. Also, getting important results with Nadal, Djokovic and Federer is almost impossible. It is a privilege to witness this.”

The Italian also points out the Spaniard’s ability to resist and how you have to completely defeat him to win the match. “Nadal doesn’t give up, you don’t just have to beat Nadal, you have to knock him down. It exhausts you physically and mentally and I’m proud to have beaten him in Monte Carlo. Only Djokovic and Federer have stopped their competitive fury.”

Fognini also believes that Nadal’s victory could spur Djokovic to take revenge at Roland Garros, where the Serb already beat Nadal last year before claiming the title. “I think Djokovic’s blood is boiling after Nadal’s victory. On the one hand he will be happy, because these challenges motivate him. He will have thought ‘Okay, you have won, but you will see in Paris’. It is very competitive. But if Rafa wants, she will win at Roland Garros and achieve the Grand Slam 22 “

However, Fognini is clear about which is his favorite among the three tennis players of the ‘Big Three’. “Nadal and Djokovic are two unrepeatable phenomena in the history of tennis. However, I am still Federer’s. If I have to buy a ticket for a match, I buy it to see Federer.”