Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic 'have something in their brain not typical of humans' - Magnus Norman
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Updated 13/04/2023 at 11:28 GMT
The Grand Slam trail is back on for the elite of men's tennis, with the clay-court swing leading to the French Open, beginning at the end of May. And pending the recovery of Rafael Nadal from injury, he and Novak Djokovic could once again face each other in Paris. Magnus Norman, coach of Stan Wawrinka, says the pair can "handle the pressure like nobody else."
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Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic "have something in their brain not typical of humans", says Magnus Norman.
The two titans are tied on 22 Grand Slams each and will likely spar again at the upcoming French Open for the moniker of the most successful men's tennis player of all time - at least for the time being.
That would be the fourth year in succession they have met at the second major of the tennis year. But the picture is complicated somewhat by Nadal's ongoing recovery from injury, which has seen him out of action since the Australian Open, where he retired from his second-round match with Mackenzie McDonald.
Djokovic also missed the recent 'Sunshine Swing' in the US due to being denied entry over his Covid-19 vaccination status, but returned at the ongoing Monte-Carlo Masters where he beat Ivan Gakhov on Tuesday to advance to the last 16.
Norman, coach of Stan Wawrinka - another multiple major champion still competing well into his thirties - says it is the mentality of Djokovic and Nadal that elevate them.
"They are professionals 365 days a year," Norman told Clay. "They have something in their brain that is not typical of humans.
"They are hungry to be better all the time, they can handle the pressure like nobody else.
"I am very impressed by how they are doing over all these years. It's hard to imagine.
"They have something special that puts them in the top three or four of all time."
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Expanding on Nadal's prospects in 2023 as the clay season comes into view, Norman said: "It will be difficult [for him to show his usual form], but if he is healthy, he is a champion and I hope he plays well.
"You never have to rule out Nadal, [Andy] Murray or Djokovic. Nadal has won many Grand Slams.
"It's not going to be easy, because the competition is tougher, but he's going to find a way to play well and win big tournaments this year too."
Norman also had his say on the next generation making waves in tennis, among them Carlos Alcaraz.
"There is a change at the top," the Swede, a former French Open finalist, said. "Roger [Federer] retired, Novak is on top, but Rafa is going down from the looks of it right now.
"There is a whole new generation knocking on the door, led by Alcaraz, who has already won a Slam.
"Zverev is coming back, Tsitsipas, Kyrgios, Felix [Auger-Aliassime] is playing very well, [Jannik] Sinner of course.
"I do expect a new Grand Slam champion in 2023."
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