Novak Djokovic reveals Rafael Nadal 'p***ed me off' with changing room antics and became 'intimidated' by him
NOVAK DJOKOVIC admitted Rafael Nadal "p***ed me off" with his "intimidating" pre-match antics.
The pair are two of the greatest tennis players of all time and have enjoyed a pulsating rivalry stretching back to their first meeting in 2006.
Djokovic leads the head-to-head record 30-29, although Nadal won their last meeting in the French Open quarter-finals in 2022 on his way to winning his 14th title.
But it was at Roland Garros way back at the beginning of Djokovic's career that he struggled to cope with the pressure of facing the Spaniard.
The Serb legend lost to the all-conquering King of Clay in Paris in 2006, 2007 and 2008.
And he vividly remembers what it was like preparing to step out on to court with his great rival - who is set to retire next year.
Djokovic told CBS 60 Minutes: "I'm playing Nadal in Roland Garros, and I have his locker next to my locker, right? So, we are so close.
"And we're trying to give each other space. But then the locker room is also not that big and the way you jump around like Nadal does before we go out on the court...
"In the locker room, he's doing sprints next to you. I can even hear the music he's listening to, you know, in his headphones.
"So it's p***ing me off.
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“Early in my career, I didn't realise how all that is part of the scenario, right?
"So, I was getting intimidated by that. But it's also motivating me to do stuff myself and to show that I'm ready. I'm ready for a battle, for a war."
Djokovic certainly learned how to intimidate opponents and now boasts such an incredible aura that many players seem defeated before a point has been played.
It has led to unparalleled success on the court, racking up 98 career titles including a record 24 Grand Slams and now more than 400 weeks ranked as the world No1.
Djokovic won 27 of his 28 matches at majors in 2023, winning the Australian Open, French Open and US Open.
The Serbian's fury boiled over when he smashed his racket into the net post after dropping his serve in the decider.
But Djokovic used the painful defeat at the All England Club as motivation for the North American swing - including success at the Cincinnati Masters and US Open before wrapping up a stunning year by landing the Paris Masters and ATP Finals.
He added: "Wimbledon pissed me off so much that I needed to win everything on American soil, which I did."
