Rafael Nadal thinks Novak Djokovic being “super professional” and keeping his passion and love for the game are the main reasons why the Serb is still a dominant force in the game. Djokovic, 35, missed out on some big tournaments this year but still he was able to win Wimbledon and the Rome Masters.

Even though Djokovic plummeted to No 8 in the world after missing some of the biggest tournaments in the world, many feel he is still definitely a very dominant force in the game. “He’s able to be super professional, to control his body, to hold the passion.

It doesn’t matter how things are going, he always keeps going until the end and that’s something very difficult, especially in a super long career after all the success. To keep having the passion and the love for the game, I think it’s something I admire a lot,” Nadal said, per Eurosport.

Nadal not happy after losing his ATP Finals opener

On Sunday, Nadal kicked off his campaign in Turin. Unfortunately for Nadal, it didn’t go well for him as Taylor Fritz handed him a 7-6 (3) 6-1 loss. After losing a tight first set, Nadal stood no chance in the second set.

“I think it was a decent first set. It is true that Taylor Fritz played unbelievably. So well done to him, all the credit. Then the second [set], yeah, I’m very disappointed about the second break. The first break, okay, it can happen, but not the second.

He was hitting the ball very strong and I need more matches, you know, to play this kind of [tennis], at this kind of level. Even if I am practising well, It is much better than how I am competing, without a doubt. It’s normal.

In the end, it’s not the ideal tournament and probably part of the season to come back after a couple of months without being on the tour because you don’t have time to get confidence,” Nadal said. Nadal plays Felix Auger-Aliassime in his next match.