Novak Djokovic sent out a classy message to rival Rafael Nadal upon hearing about the Spaniard's recent surgery.
Nadal, who turned 37 on Saturday, is likely to be sidelined for the next five months after undergoing hip surgery to attempt to correct an injury he picked up at the Australian Open back in January.
The Spaniard’s absence from the French Open, where he has won 14 of his 22 Grand Slam titles, is being felt by players, spectators, and broadcasters alike and Djokovic was quick to wish his rival well upon hearing the news.
‘’It was his birthday yesterday, and he announced that he got his surgery,’’ Djokovic said in a press conference after beating Juan Pablo Varillas to reach the French Open quarter-finals.
‘’I got one surgery in my career on the elbow, and I know how hard it is to get back.
“It's just one of those things that you don't want any athlete to go through. Sometimes I guess it's necessary. For him it's been several times now throughout his career.
“I don't know what the severity of or the nature of his injury is, but, you know, if he got on a surgery table, it means there was no other solution.’’
Nadal recently revealed his intentions to play the 2024 season and then potentially retire from professional tennis.
‘’So, you know, I really hope that, yeah, his rehabilitation process can go well and that we can see him next season,’’ Djokovic added.
“I think that he's so important for our game on and off the court, one of the greatest legends of tennis in the history of the game.
“We want to see healthy Rafa, no question about it, playing for what he has announced his last season. You know, hopefully he's gonna be able to do that.’’
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