Andy Murray: Rafael Nadal mentally stronger than Novak Djokovic

Former world No. 1 Andy Murray thinks Rafael Nadal is mentally stronger player than Novak Djokovic but added that there were certain times when he thought that the Serb was mentally stronger than the Spaniard.

Nadal, 34, recently equaled Roger Federer's all-time Grand Slam record of 20 Majors captured after demolishing world No. 1 Djokovic in the French Open final.

Djokovic, a 17-time Grand Slam champion, has always been known for his exceptional mental strength and that part of the game is considered as one of his top strengths.

"I actually had this conversation with Novak, I did an Instagram live with him during the first sort of lockdown that we had due to the coronavirus,” Murray said, per Tennishead.

“I said to him that for me like there’s been times during his career when I would pick him ahead of Rafa on the mental part.

“[But] if I look at a career as a whole of every single match in every single tournament in their career then I would say – you know like this week we were talking about where Novak was mentally (affected), how he was feeling – that wasn’t something we were concerned about with Rafa.

"And that’s something that I’ve never really been concerned about with him like I never think that’s gonna be a problem for him like motivation or mental side of things.

“So that’s why just as a whole for his career, I’ve got to take Rafa I think (as the mentally stronger player).”

Murray explained why Nadal has never won the ATP Finals 

After winning a 20th Grand Slam title, Nadal was hoping to end the season on the best possible way and finally claim his maiden Nitto ATP Finals title.

Unfortunately for Nadal, he failed to do so as he paid the price for failing to serve out for the match against Daniil Medvedev in the semifinal at The O2 Arena.

"It’s just not his best surface and it’s possible that if it was played on clay for the last 10-12 years, then maybe he would have won it six or seven times. So, as for sure that the surface has been a contributing factor," Murray explained.

"It all comes down to preference and game styles and matchups and there’s lots of reasons. Rafa would have been highly motivated and really wanting to win this event. But, just a difficult surface for him against the top players."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/39hlyDE