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Rafael Nadal says Novak Djokovic can be described as the "best in history" if the number of major singles titles his Serbian rival has won is taken into consideration.
- Nadal spoke glowingly of Djokovic in the wake of his US Open victory
- Djokovic has won 24 major singles trophies
- Nadal has not played since the Australian Open
Djokovic's US Open victory last week gave him a 24th major singles trophy, the most won by any male player in the sport's history.
Nadal sits second on the men's standings with 22 wins.
Djokovic's fourth triumph in New York also saw him draw level with Australian Margaret Court for most all time.
"I believe that numbers are numbers and statistics are statistics," Nadal said in an interview with Spanish media outlet AS.
"In that sense, I think he (Djokovic) has better numbers than mine and that is indisputable."
Nadal added: "This is the truth. The rest are tastes, inspiration, sensations that one or the other may transmit to you, that you may like one or the other more.
"I think that with respect to titles, Djokovic is the best in history and there is nothing to discuss about that."
Nadal, 37, has not played on the ATP Tour since exiting the Australian Open in the second round last January.
He was struck down with a hip injury in his shock straight-sets loss to Mackenzie McDonald at Melbourne Park, having entered the tournament as defending champion.
"As always, everyone can see the story as they wish, saying that I suffered many injuries. Bad luck for me or bad luck that I had my body this way," Nadal said.
Djokovic won the Australian and French Opens this year, before going down in a thrilling five-setter to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.
"He (Djokovic) has had another one and in some ways that is also part of the sport," Nadal said.
"I congratulate him for everything he is achieving and it doesn't cause me any kind of frustration."
Despite losing his record of men's major singles titles to world number one Djokovic, Nadal said he was more than happy with what he has achieved in his career to date.
"I said it when I was the one with the most [grand] slams, I said it when we were tied and I say it now that I am behind," Nadal said.
"I am not going to be the one who tries, through a personal struggle, to want to be what I am not.
"What is, is, and what is not, is not. I say this, I am very satisfied with everything that I have done."
Djokovic leads Nadal 30-29 in their career head-to-head meetings.
Reuters