Novak Djokovic opens up on rivalries with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic recently gave an honest assessment of his long-standing relationships with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in an interview with Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, in which he discussed his time on court his two rivals as well as their interactions away from the spotlight. As the last active member of the iconic “Big Three,” Djokovic offered an interesting insight into the personal dynamics of a trio that defined the greatest era in tennis history.

On Rafael Nadal: respect without friendship

Djokovic and Nadal have shared one of the fiercest rivalries in sports history, clashing a men’s record 60 times across two decades. Yet despite their mutual respect, Djokovic admits that true friendship between them was never possible, despite him being closer to the Spaniard than he was to Federer.

“Nadal is only a year older than me, we are both Geminis, at first we even went to dinner together, twice,” Djokovic revealed. “But even with him, friendship is impossible. I have always respected and greatly admired him. Thanks to him and Federer, I grew up and became who I am. This will unite us forever; therefore, I feel gratitude towards them.”

He went on to describe Nadal as a constant presence in his professional life, humorously adding:

“Nadal is a part of my life, in the last fifteen years I’ve seen more of him than my mother! We have never been friends. Between rivals, it is not possible, but we have never been enemies.”

On Roger Federer: Mutual respect, different paths

When it comes to Roger Federer, Djokovic’s sentiments were similar. While he holds deep respect for the Swiss maestro, he acknowledges that they were never personally close.

“I’ve always had respect for Federer. He had an extraordinary impact, but I’ve never been close to him.”

The Djokovic–Federer rivalry was contested over the course of 50 matches from 2006 to 2020. Remarkably, they are the only players to have defeated each other at all four Slam tournaments, a testament to the balance of their rivalry, with little to split them in a head-to-head Djokovic leads narrowly, 27-23.

A legacy that unites the Big Three

Though friendship may have eluded them, Djokovic, Nadal and Federer remain forever linked by their shared dominance and influence over modern tennis. As Djokovic continues competing at the highest level, he stands as the enduring symbol of the Big Three’s unmatched era, one built on rivalry, respect, and an unrelenting pursuit of greatness.