Nadal Has Never Seen Anything Like Djokovic’s Current Form

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Nadal Has Never Seen Anything Like Djokovic’s Current Form

After he was not so politely discarded by Novak Djokovic 6-1, 6-2 in the Doha final, Rafael Nadal admitted that he’s never seen a tennis force as formidable as Djokovic is right now.

“Since I know this sport I never saw somebody playing at this level,” he said.

Nadal, who has lost five straight to Djokovic and now trails in the rivalry head-to-head for the first time at 23-24, says that he had a positive week in Doha. There simply wasn’t anything he could do about Djokovic in his current raging form.

“I had a positive week,” Nadal told reporters. “I am playing well, and I gonna keep working hard to try to be ready for Australia. And I think I will be. I am motivated for it.”

Nadal is hoping that the warmer conditions in Melbourne will suit his game better. And he’s also hoping that Djokovic comes back to earth.

“Australia is a different story, different conditions,” Nadal said. “And it's obvious that Novak playing like this is going to be so difficult to beat him for anyone. But for my side, the only thing that I can do is [stay positive about] all the things that I improved the last couple of months. If I lost 6-1, 6-2 today, it's because I played against a player that played at the level that I didn't know since the day of today. So that's it. Not because I did a disaster or not because I am playing bad or because–no. The opponent was too good. And when something like this happens, the only thing you can do is applause him and congratulate the opponent.”

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