Novak Djokovic has opened up about the intense struggles he faced early in his career against tennis legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The Serb, now regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, admitted that it took him years to figure out how to consistently beat his two fiercest rivals. This challenge only deepened his desire to succeed and push past the mental barriers that initially held him back from securing Grand Slam titles regularly.
As the era of the Big Three—Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic—begins to wind down, Djokovic’s reflections are particularly poignant. Federer officially retired from professional tennis in 2022, and Nadal, who has battled injuries in recent years, is nearing his own farewell at the 2024 Davis Cup. Djokovic, still competing at the highest level, looks back at his legendary rivalry with both Federer and Nadal with pride. These are the players who not only defined his career but also the golden era of men’s tennis.
Djokovic’s rivalry with Nadal stands as one of the most iconic in the sport’s history. The two have faced each other 60 times, with Djokovic edging the head-to-head record 31-29. Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, leads their Major finals encounters 5-4, highlighting how tightly contested their battles have been on the sport’s biggest stages. Against Federer, Djokovic also holds an advantage, leading their head-to-head 27-23, including an impressive 4-1 record in Grand Slam finals. The Serb’s ability to rise to the occasion in the most critical moments against Federer is well-documented, with their 2019 Wimbledon final standing out as a historic contest.
In a recent interview with *La Nacion*, Djokovic reflected on how Federer and Nadal profoundly influenced his development as a tennis player. He described their rivalry as one of the greatest not just in tennis, but in all of sport. “I see it as one of the biggest rivalries, without a doubt, in all of sport,” Djokovic said. “I am very proud and feel totally honored to be part of that group. They are older than me, Rafa by one year, and Roger by six. And they influenced my game and my development as a tennis player more than any other player.”
Djokovic went on to discuss his journey to becoming a Grand Slam contender. After winning his maiden Major at the 2008 Australian Open, it took him three more years to break through and claim his second Slam at the 2011 Australian Open. During those three years, Djokovic often found himself stuck behind Federer and Nadal, consistently ranked No. 3 in the world but unable to topple the two champions in the biggest tournaments. Despite his immense talent, Djokovic struggled to find the “formula” that would allow him to consistently beat Federer and Nadal on the grandest stages.
“I became a candidate for the Grand Slams and started to be at the highest level of the professional standard when I won the Grand Slam in 2008,” Djokovic explained. “But the next one I won in 2011. It took me three years to win the second Grand Slam, and I was number 3 in the world for those three years. I was also number 2 in 2009, and I was playing at a very high level, but I couldn’t get to win Grand Slams because of them two. They dominated everything. I didn’t have the formula to beat them.”
Those years of frustration were crucial for Djokovic’s growth. He admitted that watching Federer and Nadal dominate the sport only made him hungrier for success. During this time, he knew he had the physical skills to compete, but the mental aspect of his game needed improvement. Djokovic realized that overcoming the psychological barrier of competing with two of the greatest players in tennis history would be the key to unlocking his own potential.
“I knew that if I found a way to be like those guys in the big matches, and I knew that a lot of that came from here (he touches his head with his right index finger), I could somehow crack the Grand Slams and start winning more. And that’s what happened.”
Djokovic’s breakthrough came in 2011, and from that point on, he dominated the tennis world in a way that few players ever have. His ability to maintain his physical conditioning, combined with the mental toughness he developed in those early years, has allowed him to win 24 Grand Slam titles and establish himself as the player to beat in men’s tennis.
During the interview, Djokovic also expressed immense pride in his rivalry with Federer and Nadal. Having faced the two legends a combined 110 times, Djokovic emphasized how important those rivalries were not only for his own career but for the sport as a whole. “I’m very proud of the experience of having played more than 60 matches with Rafa and I don’t know, about 50 with Roger. It’s incredible. I don’t know if there is any rivalry with as many matches as I had with Nadal, for example. I think rivalries are extremely important for sport, whatever it is. People like that duality,” he said.
Djokovic acknowledged the challenge of carving out a space for himself in what was initially a rivalry dominated by Federer and Nadal. When Djokovic first broke through, many questioned whether there was room for a third player at the top. However, he went on to prove that not only was there room, but together the trio would create what he calls “the most wonderful trio that tennis has ever produced.”
As Djokovic’s storied rivalry with Nadal nears its final chapter, the two are set to meet once more at the Six Kings Slam exhibition event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where they will compete for third place. Their most recent encounter was at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Djokovic secured a straightforward 6-1, 6-4 victory. With Federer already retired and Nadal nearing his own farewell, this exhibition match could mark the end of one of the greatest rivalries in the history of tennis.
Looking back on his career, Djokovic’s reflections show just how pivotal Federer and Nadal were in shaping the player he has become. The battles with his two greatest rivals have not only pushed Djokovic to his limits but have also elevated tennis to new heights, leaving a lasting legacy that will be remembered for generations to come.