Overview

• In an interview with Corriere Della Sera, Novak Djokovic said a personal friendship with Rafael Nadal was impossible, despite mutual admiration.
• Djokovic recalled the pair dining together twice early in their careers but reiterated that intense competition kept them from becoming friends.
• He added that he was never close to Roger Federer, even as he praised Federer's impact and said both rivals helped shape his career.
• On Saturday, Djokovic lost the Shanghai Masters semi-final to qualifier Valentin Vacherot 6-3, 6-4 after receiving physio for a back problem during the first set.
• Vacherot told Sky Sports the win was an unbelievable experience, while context for the rivalry notes Djokovic leads Nadal 31-29 across roughly 60 matches and Nadal retired last November after Spain's Davis Cup exit.