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Djokovic: Nadal made me the player I am today.


MARCA Leyenda winner Novak Djokovic was full of praise for Rafael Nadal when he talked about one of the biggest rivalries in tennis history.
The current number one in the world of tennis is currently getting ready for the Madrid Open, a tournament he hopes to win, but to do so he might have to beat the king of clay and home favourite Nadal.
Rafael Nadal is only 29-years-old but have been in the game for ages. Despite just being one year younger Djokovic admitted he'd been looking up to the Spaniard as a role model.
"He has gone through all kinds of moments in his career but is still young. We shouldn't forget that he won his first game as a professional at the age of 15," Djokovic told MARCA.
"It means he started playing at the highest level at 15 years of age and has been a role model to all young players, in which I include myself. If he could do that it shows others can too."
Although Djokovic has won 10 of his last 11 games against the Spaniard, he does not believe it's getting any easier.
"Just because I've won over him a lot lately it doesn't mean I'm sure I'll win again," he said. "More than anything it's the contrary."
The Serbian tennis star agreed that winning over Nadal in five sets on the Spaniard's favourite surface, clay, might just be one of the biggest challenges in tennis.
"Undoubtedly it is," he continued. "I managed to do it last year in Paris, in three sets, but today he is a totally different player from last season, which was his worst in years."
"The good thing for me is that I know I have done it one time before and I am confident I can do it again. This week we will both be in Madrid and I'm sure he'll want to keep winning, like he's done in Monte Ccarlo and Barcelona.
"He is the player to beat on his favourite surface, just look at his numbers. He is the best in history on clay and that's why everyone consider him the king of clay.
"As something very beautiful and special. It's a privilege to have played him so many times because he is a legend in our sport. The rivalry with Rafa have helped me to become the player I am today."

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