Nadal denies he’s now an enemy of Djokovic

Spain's Rafael Nadal points as Serbia's Novak Djokovic touches the net when returning in the fifth set of their semifinal match at the French Open tennis tournament, at Roland Garros stadium in Paris, Friday June 7, 2013. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

Rafael Nadal has interrupted his post-Wimbledon training and holiday to deny reports in the Serbian press that he and rival Novak Djokovic have become mortal enemies off the court.

The issue arose when Srdjan Djokovic, father of Novak Djokovic, told Serbian media that his son and Nadal no longer get along.

The elder Djokovic charged: “Rafael Nadal was Novak’s best friend while he (Nadal) was winning. When things changed, they were no longer friends.”

Nadal told media that he and Novak get along fine and advised Srdjan: “If he wants to know how I get along with Nole, he should ask his son. My relationship with Novak has always been very good and it still is.

“I’ve lost lots of matches against him and vice-versa, but we’ve never had a problem. People are entitled to their opinions. It’s not my place to respond to anyone, especially without having heard or read these comments.”

The elder Djokovic also unloaded on Roger Federer.

“Federer may be even the best tennis player in history, but as a person is totally the opposite,” he said. “Novak attacked in the Davis Cup in Geneva, realised that is his heir and tried everything to discredit him.”