Pep Guardiola, widely regarded as one of the greatest football coaches of all time, recently shared his thoughts on Rafael Nadal’s decision to step away from professional tennis, offering insights into his admiration for Nadal and the two other members of the iconic “Big Three” of men’s tennis—Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. As Nadal prepares to retire after this year’s Davis Cup Finals, Guardiola reflected on the qualities that made the trio exceptional, not just as athletes, but as competitors who transformed the sport over the last two decades.
Rafael Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion and one of the most revered figures in tennis history, announced his retirement in an emotional video. After battling persistent injuries that have severely limited his playing time over the last two years, Nadal has decided that this season will be his last. “It is obviously a difficult decision, one that has taken me some time to make,” Nadal said in the video. “But in this life, everything has a beginning and an end. And I think it’s the appropriate time to put an end to a career that has been long and much more successful than I could have ever imagined.” His announcement marked the end of an era for one of the greatest athletes to ever step onto a tennis court.
Guardiola, who is not only a football mastermind but also a passionate tennis fan, expressed his sadness at the news of Nadal’s retirement. Speaking on *Sky Sports’* *One on One* series and podcast, he said, “I’m a little bit sad about it, but I think it happened because he saw that he cannot be or compete at the level that he had been for two decades.” Guardiola’s insight speaks to Nadal’s extraordinary ability to maintain a high level of performance over an extended period of time—a level that few athletes, in any sport, can achieve.
Nadal’s career has been defined by his relentless work ethic, mental toughness, and resilience in the face of adversity, qualities that Guardiola admires deeply. “I admire all of them, all three,” he said, referring to Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic. For Guardiola, these three players—the “Big Three”—have set a standard of excellence that transcends tennis. “I admire the consistency of ‘The Big Three’ every single season being there and never giving up, coming back from the setbacks.”
The “Big Three” of men’s tennis—Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic—dominated the sport for the better part of two decades, a period in which they collectively won 66 Grand Slam titles and set numerous records. Federer was the first of the trio to step away from the game, retiring in 2022 after a storied career that saw him win 20 Grand Slam titles. Now, with Nadal preparing to bow out, only Djokovic remains actively competing. The Serbian, who has 24 Grand Slam titles to his name, is still going strong and continues to pursue more records.
Guardiola, who has achieved monumental success in football, winning league titles and Champions League trophies with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City, understands what it takes to stay at the top of a sport. He did not hesitate to describe Nadal, Federer, and Djokovic as “geniuses.” “I think all three will be missed – but still Novak Djokovic can enjoy it – but the three will be missed,” Guardiola said, acknowledging Djokovic’s continued presence in the game while reflecting on the legacy left by Nadal and Federer.
One of the things that Guardiola finds most impressive about the “Big Three” is their ability to overcome adversity. He explained that he often studies how top athletes handle the challenges they face when things aren’t going their way. “I tried to learn a lot from their body language, how they behave in the bad moments, how strong they are mentally, and of course the talent and skill,” he said. For Guardiola, it wasn’t just about the victories, but also about how these champions dealt with defeat and setbacks.
Guardiola also highlighted how much he could learn from watching tennis, especially the subtle details of how the players approach the game. “I would always pay attention to the way tennis players look at the ball with their eyes and how they behave in certain moments,” he remarked. This careful observation of detail extends beyond tennis and into his own coaching philosophy, where body language, mental resilience, and focus are key elements in high-pressure situations.
The legacy of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic is likely to be felt for years to come, not just in tennis but across the entire sports world. These athletes have redefined what it means to be a champion, with each bringing their unique style and personality to the court. Federer, with his grace and fluidity, Nadal, with his power and tenacity, and Djokovic, with his precision and consistency, have captivated millions of fans worldwide. Their era is coming to a close, but their influence on future generations of players and athletes will remain indelible.
As Nadal prepares to step away from tennis, Guardiola’s reflections offer a reminder of how special this era of tennis has been. It’s a rare occasion when three players of such caliber compete simultaneously at the pinnacle of their sport, pushing each other to new heights. While Djokovic continues to compete, the absence of Federer and Nadal will undoubtedly leave a void in the sport. For Guardiola and millions of fans around the world, the “Big Three” will always be remembered as not just tennis players, but as sportsmen who exemplified excellence, resilience, and genius in their craft.