Novak Djokovic, the current record-holder for the most Grand Slam titles in tennis history with 24, recently reflected on his journey to the top of the sport and how two legendary rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, significantly shaped his career. In an interview with *La Nacion*, Djokovic acknowledged that his early career was defined by trying to overcome the dominance of Federer and Nadal, who were nearly unbeatable during the late 2000s. The Serb emphasized that while their presence made his path to the top more challenging, they were also the key to his eventual success.
Djokovic, now widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in 2008, defeating Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final. At the time, he was just 20 years old and seen as the next big star in tennis. However, while his breakthrough seemed to signal the beginning of a dominant era for the Serb, his second Major title did not come until three years later, again in Melbourne in 2011.
Between 2008 and 2011, Djokovic remained a top player, consistently ranked No. 3 in the world behind Federer and Nadal. Despite being highly competitive, he struggled to break through at the biggest events, often running into either the Swiss maestro or the Spanish warrior in the semifinals or finals of Grand Slams. By the time Djokovic secured his second Major, Federer had already surpassed 10 Grand Slam titles, and Nadal was rapidly accumulating Slams as well, particularly at the French Open, where he reigned supreme.
In his interview, Djokovic reflected on this difficult period of his career, explaining how facing Federer and Nadal repeatedly in the biggest moments forced him to evolve. “It took me three years to win my second Grand Slam, and I was No. 3 in the world for those three years. I was also No. 2 in 2009, and I was playing at a very high level, but I couldn’t get to win Grand Slams because of those two. They dominated everything,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic admitted that, while he was able to beat Federer and Nadal on occasion, he couldn’t defeat them in the most important matches, particularly in Grand Slam finals. “I didn’t have the formula to beat them,” he acknowledged, adding that those years of frustration made him hungrier and more determined to find a way to overcome them. “They made me hungrier to win, especially against them,” Djokovic said. “I knew that if I could find a way to be like those guys in the big matches, and I knew a lot of that came from the mind, I could somehow figure out the Grand Slams and start winning more. And that’s what happened.”
The turning point for Djokovic came in 2011, a season in which he won three Grand Slam titles (the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open) and truly announced himself as a dominant force in tennis. From that point on, Djokovic shifted from being the hunter to the hunted, as he began his rise to the top of the all-time Grand Slam leaderboard. Federer eventually finished his career with 20 Major titles, while Nadal, who is set to retire at the end of 2024, currently has 22.
### Uncle Toni’s Perspective on the Djokovic-Nadal Rivalry
For years, the debate over who is the greatest tennis player of all time has been a hot topic among fans, pundits, and players. While Djokovic has surpassed Federer and Nadal in terms of Grand Slam titles, some believe that Nadal could have been the one to hold the record if injuries hadn’t plagued his career.
Rafael Nadal’s uncle and longtime coach, Toni Nadal, weighed in on this debate, suggesting that his nephew would have won more Grand Slam titles if not for the numerous injuries that derailed his progress at various points. In an interview from 2022, Uncle Toni commented on the rivalry between the Big Three (Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer), stating that Nadal might have been recognized as the best if not for his physical setbacks. “If my nephew hadn’t had so many injuries, and this isn’t because I’m his uncle, he would have been the best,” Toni Nadal said.
Uncle Toni acknowledged Djokovic’s incredible accomplishments but hinted that the margin between the three legends was razor-thin. “There’s not a lot between Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer. But I think Roger has reached higher heights,” he said, adding to the debate over who reached the peak of the sport’s historical greatness.
Despite the challenges, Nadal’s legacy is secure with 22 Grand Slam titles, and he has spoken openly about Djokovic’s incredible achievements. Earlier this year, in an interview, Nadal himself admitted that Djokovic was the greatest, based on his record-setting number of Major titles.
### Nadal and Djokovic’s Final Meeting
As Nadal approaches retirement, the legendary Spaniard recently reflected on his relationships with both Federer and Djokovic. While Nadal’s rivalry with Federer has long been celebrated as one of the most iconic in sports history, the Spaniard also expressed that his relationship with Djokovic has been “special” in its own right.
Speaking at the inaugural Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, where both Djokovic and Nadal are competing, the Spaniard shared his thoughts on his rivalry with Djokovic. “Of course, with Roger Federer it has been special, but with Novak too, I have a good relationship,” Nadal said, emphasizing the mutual respect that exists between him and Djokovic.
This week, the two titans faced off for the last time as professionals at the Six Kings Slam. With Nadal retiring at the Davis Cup Finals in November and Serbia not participating, their match in Riyadh marked the end of one of tennis’s most storied rivalries.
For Djokovic, the journey to surpass his two greatest rivals was fueled by their excellence, but his rise to 24 Grand Slam titles is a testament to his relentless determination, mental toughness, and unparalleled skill. The Big Three have defined an era of tennis, but as the dust settles, Djokovic stands alone at the top.