Rafael Nadal expecting Novak Djokovic to have 'small mental breakdown'

Rafael Nadal believes Novak Djokovic could have a 'small mental br

Roger Federer has already been retired for two years, ending his career at the 2022 Laver Cup with Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray by his side. Murray also said goodbye at this year’s Olympics. Nadal is the next of the pack to retire. Next month’s Davis Cup Finals will be his last appearance as a professional player, where he is set to bow out while representing Spain for the final time. It will leave Djokovic as the last man standing from the Big Four. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has already admitted that it will be tough without his biggest rivals on the tour and Nadal thinks the Serb may initially struggle without them. “I think it's human that Novak, even if he's still healthy, is of a certain age and it's logical that the clock takes its toll on all of us,” Nadal told AS.

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“And that, once Federer has gone, once I'm gone, since we've been his two great rivals, at some point he also has a small mental breakdown and will find a reason to step aside.” While the 22-time Major winner believes Djokovic’s fate is inevitable, he’s still backing the 37-year-old to stay at the top of the game for a little longer. Nadal continued: “That's what happens to everyone. And Novak is good enough to, if he's healthy, continue to be competitive at the highest level and aspire to win the most important tournaments. “And if he's still happy doing what he does, he'll keep doing it. If at some point, everything he has to do to have a chance of continuing to be at the highest level is no longer worth it, then he'll step aside, that's what I think.”

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