Novak Djokovic sends hilarious message to Rafael Nadal amid congratulatory message. READ MORE…
Novak Djokovic has extended his congratulations to Rafa Nadal after news emerged on Saturday that he and wife Xisca had welcomed their first child.
A number of Spanish publications reported on Saturday that Xisca had given birth to a baby boy – named Rafael after his father.
“Both the mum and her baby, born in the 37th week of her pregnancy, are doing well,” Majorcan news outlet Diario de Mallorca reported.
“The birth took place in a private clinic on the island where ‘Mery’ (Xisca) had to remain under observation and rest completely in the last few weeks.”
Djokovic was informed of the news while playing at the Astana Open in Kazakhstan.
“Congrats! I didn’t know. Really? It’s a beautiful news. I wish his wife and baby a lot of health and happiness,” he told reporters.
However Djokovic, who has two children of his won with wife Jelena, wasn’t willing to offer any fatherly advice to his rival.
Novak Djokovic sends hilarious message to Rafael Nadal amid congratulatory message. READ MORE…
“As a father, I’m not going to give any advice,” Djokovic said with a smile.
“He has a big family. I’m sure he will experience himself.”
Djokovic and Nadal have had their ups and downs over the years, with the nature of their relationship off the court largely a mystery.
Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer, pictured here at the Laver Cup in London.
Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer look on at the Laver Cup in London. (Photo by John Walton/PA Images via Getty Images)
The great rivals put on a united front while playing together for Team Europe at the recent Laver Cup, which served as the final event of Roger Federer’s storied career.
However they haven’t always seen eye-to-eye, with Nadal recently saying Djokovic only had himself to blame for missing the US Open due to his refusal to get the Covid-19 jab.
Nadal also expressed similar sentiments when Djokovic was deported from Australia ahead of the first grand slam of the year in January, which Nadal went on to win.
The Spaniard also won the French Open in May, taking the outright lead in the men’s all-time grand slam race with 22 career majors.
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Djokovic then won Wimbledon in July to move within one of Nadal on 21.
#Djokovic on Rafa’s son: Congrats! I didn’t know. Really? It’s a beautiful news. I wish his wife and baby a lot of health and happiness. As a father, I’m not gonna give any advise (smiling) him.He has a big family. I’m sure he will experience himself (smiling)#rafa
— Yerik_Ilyassov 🎾🇰🇿 (@yerikilyassov) October 8, 2022