Novak Djokovic claim
Novak Djokovic thinks his rivalry with Rafael Nadal is special – and also praised Roger Federer.
The Serb said: “I was behind in head-to-head with both of these guys up to recently. I managed to win some big matches against them in the last couple of years, but also lost some.
“There’s no particular rule, so to say, of direction or trajectory of the rivalry. We’ve witnessed, you know, throughout our rivalries that it’s almost 10, 15 years, there are periods and intervals, so to say, where I win couple matches in a row, then they win couple matches in a row.
“I feel my rivalry, with Nadal especially, is quite amazing, as well. We played most matches against each other than any other two tennis players ever in the game, which is amazing.”
Roger Federer revelation
Nadal feels injuries have stopped him from matching Roger Federer’s 20-Grand Slam haul, with the Spaniard currently two behind.
“Probably I am sure that I missed more Grand Slams in my career in terms of the top guys comparing to the other top players, the one that I missed more Grand Slams,” Nadal said.
“That’s probably the fact that I have not been in that position.
“Last year [I failed at Wimbledon] because of one point. That’s true, no?
“Last year didn’t happen because I lost that match in Wimbledon [fourth round] against [Gilles] Muller 15-30 in the fifth. Was very close to make that happen.
“Is not the moment to analyse all the things that I went through. But injuries, you know, since 2012.
“I did it 2011. 2012, half year injured, and I didn’t play Australia at all.
“I missed Wimbledon – not Wimbledon, but was the same as missing, because I was destroyed with the knee.
“After that I didn’t play until Vina del Mar 2013.
“2013 I missed Australia, impossible. 2014, the same. I was not able to play I think in the US Open. 2014 I was playing very bad, that’s all. 2016 I get injured in Roland Garros again with the wrist.
“That’s the things that happened since 2011. Is the history of my career, too.”
Del Potro US Open plan
Nadal has revealed he plans to play ‘aggressively’ when he faces Del Potro in the US Open semi-finals tomorrow.
“I think the beginning of the tournament I played a little bit better this year than last year but every year is completely different,” he said.
“I had some tough opponents this year, they are very strong, powerful opponents and now it is the moment to play a little bit more aggressive.”
Nadal has won his last three meetings with the Argentine.
Del Potro last beat him at the Rio Olympics two years ago.