In an unexpected blend of emotion and humor, tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic revealed amusing text exchanges with fellow player and former rival Andy Murray, showcasing a lighter side of their long-standing friendships.
During an emotional moment at Roland Garros on Sunday, where Nadal’s footprint was permanently embedded on the iconic clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier, the Spanish star recounted a humorous incident involving Murray. Though the moment was touching, Nadal’s press conference took a playful turn when he shared how Murray’s witty texts helped rekindle their communication—ironically sparked not by tennis but by football.
The story traces back to early April, following Arsenal’s commanding 5-1 aggregate victory over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. Murray, a known Arsenal supporter, used the occasion to reach out to Nadal, a lifelong Real Madrid fan. Nadal read aloud one of Murray’s texts:
“Hey Rafa, haven’t spoken to you in a while. Just checking in to make sure you are okay.”
Nadal admitted that initially he thought Murray’s message was genuinely caring but soon realized it was a cheeky nod to the football rivalry, remarking, “This British sense of humor.” He also joked about ignoring Murray’s messages when Arsenal was later eliminated from the competition.
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic shared his own anecdote involving Murray. Having worked with Murray as his coach for a brief period until May, Djokovic revealed a playful message he received after winning his 100th ATP title.
Murray’s text congratulated Djokovic but also teased him, saying, “Now that you have a proper coach, it’s great that you’re winning tournaments.” Djokovic laughed heartily at the joke during his press briefing, emphasizing the camaraderie that persists among the top players.
Djokovic is set to begin his French Open campaign against the American player Mackenzie McDonald. The Serbian aims to capture his 25th Grand Slam title and has expressed confidence ahead of the tournament.
Related Topics