Novak Djokovic has told Rafael Nadal that he ‘does not agree’ with the Spaniard’s controversial claims over the race for the most Grand Slam titles.

World No.1 Djokovic won the US Open in September to land his 24th major trophy, an achievement which saw him equal women’s tennis legend Margaret Court for the most Grand Slam singles titles in the history of the sport.

The 36-year-old now has the chance to move past Court at the Australian Open in January – a triumph which would surely cement his position as the greatest tennis player ever – over the likes of Nadal, Roger Federer and Serena Williams.

Djokovic’s victory in the Flushing Meadows final saw him surpass Williams’ Grand Slam singles total of 23 while the Serbian has also won two more than Nadal and four more than Swiss great Federer, who hung up his racket last year.

Nadal, who is set to feature at the Australian Open as he gets ready to return from a long injury which has ruled him out for the entire year, has argued that Djokovic would have been frustrated if he did not win more major singles titles than his peers.

‘I’m not frustrated for a simple reason – within my possibilities, I’ve done all I can to make things happen for me,’ Nadal told Spanish outlet Movistar. ‘I think Novak feels more intensely [about] this than I do.

‘Had he not achieved it, it may have been a bigger frustration for him. Maybe that is why he did it. I think he has had the ability to take ambition to the maximum. I think I’ve been ambitious too but a bit healthier, which allowed me to see things in a different way.’

Djokovic has now responded to those remarks as he told Sportal: ‘I’ve seen that his comments went viral, that many people spoke about it. Everyone’s entitled to their own opinion, how he interprets someone else in a certain context etc.

‘That’s all I can say. Rafa is a great champion and I respect and appreciate him as such – as a great champion, my biggest rival and as a player who contributed to shaping my game and to results I’ve accomplished.

‘I have no intention of speaking in a negative light about him or Roger Federer – my respect towards them supersedes some negative opinions I might have. Again, that’s Rafa’s opinion and I, of course, don’t agree. I have my opinion, but I won’t share it as I don’t want us to go deeper into that. There is no need for that.’

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Australian Open chief Craig Tiley appears to have dismissed speculation that Rafael Nadal is set to retire by confirming the tennis legend is set to compete at January’s Australian Open.

The 37-year-old hasn’t played a competitive match since his shock second round defeat in Melbourne against Mackenzie McDonald earlier this year.

A hip injury forced the Spaniard to make the painful decision to withdraw from both the French Open and Wimbledon during the summer and focus on his rehabilitation.

During a lengthy period of inactivity, speculation has been rife that the 22 time Grand Slam champion would call time on his illustrious career has been rife.

In his absence, Novak Djokovic has surpassed his majors haul but Tiley insists Nadal will be back in January to compete against one of his greatest rivals again.

‘We can reveal exclusively here that Rafa will be back,’ Tiley told the Today show.

‘He’s been off for most of the year, and in talking to him over the last few days he confirmed he will be back, which we’re really excited about. That’s awesome.’

Nadal, meanwhile, has hardly spoken publicly on his future since the lengthy press conference he gave back in May when he detailed the painful decision he had made to swerve the clay court season.

‘After many years playing there, you can imagine how much of a difficult decision it’s been for me,’ he said. This isn’t a decision I’ve made, it’s a decision my body has made. I’m not going to be playing for the next few months.’

Asked about taking a break from the game, he said: ‘I’ve got to draw a line and that’s what I’m doing now.

‘Over the next few months I’m going to strengthen my physical state and recuperate.

‘I need to put my career on hold and I’m going to try and regenerate my body.

‘I’m not going to set a deadline – that’s going to be when I will feel ready physically.’

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