Rafael Nadal at 2015 US Open (Photo : Twitter)
Rafael Nadal, regardless of his current ranking, is not a player to be taken lightly. Novak Djokovic knows this.
Djokovic lost the US Open Finals in 2010 and 2013 to the Spaniard. Tennis.com asked the Djoker on whether Nadal is considered a threat as he enters the tournament ranked 8th.
"Rafa has been below his standard this season, he hasn't won a Grand Slam this year and he hasn't won a lot of tournaments and hasn't played his best at the major events, but he has done this before and came back and had the best ever in his life in 2013," the World no.1 stated.
"He has so much intensity and effort in his game that sometimes his body suffers more," he added. "But I am sure he is hard working, he spends hours on the court daily to get better and to have a real chance to win this. I'm sure he is really motivated to win the U.S. Open. He always has a chance. You can't sign Nadal out, 14-time Grand Slam champion, he deserves a favorite."
Nadal is still struggling as he eked out a victory over no.74 Diego Schwartzman, 7-6, 6-3, 7-5. He is not as dominant but even Djokovic's coach, former champion Boris Becker acknowledges a marked improvement in the Spaniard's game as he talked with Sports Illustrated.
"He's much better than he was six months ago," Becker said. "Rafa was asking himself a lot of questions and very open about it to the press, which is very unusual. Maybe he wanted the feedback. Lately he's been talking more positive and more excited about this play."
Rafael Nadal still leads the head to head on Djokovic and while 2015 has been a year of contrasts for the Spaniard and the Serb, their paths may cross in the draw and Rafa knows the best ending for a comeback story is to take down the World's no.1.
