Novak Djokovic says rival Rafael Nadal’s retirement announcement has given him plenty of food for thought. The Spaniard, announced he would bring the curtain down on his glittering career at the end of 2024.

Djokovic and Nadal have plenty in common – they are both 36 years old and they have each won 22 Grand Slam titles. Over their intertwined careers they have faced each other an ATP Tour record 59 times.

Naturally, Nadal’s retirement announcement had an impact of Djokovic who said: “It made me wonder about my career and how long I might play.

“When he announced he is going to have his last season, I felt part of me is leaving with him too.

“Because of the rivalry that we have, I feel he was one of the most impactful people that I have had in my career,” said Djokovic.

Nadal is absent from the French Open as he seeks to recover from a long-term hip injury, leaving a gaping hole in the draw. It is the first time in 19 years that the 14-time Roland Garros winner will not be in Paris for the season’s second Grand Slam event.

“He has been a great motivational factor for me to keep playing and keep competing, to keep pushing each other and who’s going to achieve more.

“So that news came as a shock to everybody.

“It made me think about my career. I’m not going to make any announcement today, but reflecting on it, I felt a little bit emotional about what he was saying,” confirmed Djokovic who is seeded third for the French Open which starts on Sunday.