Novak Djokovic is undeniably one of the greatest athletes that tennis has ever produced, and shared the stage with two equally legendary rivals: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
This trio, appropriately dubbed the Big Three, are the biggest and best that the sport has ever had to offer on the men’s side.
Their time on a tennis court, spanning over two decades, has reshaped the sport in ways few could have ever imagined, and naturally, the respect between them only grew as they engaged in more and more historic battles.
However, at times, Novak Djokovic has often felt like the odd one out, unfavoured from the start as the young upstart who dared to upset Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s rivalry.
Now opening up on this very topic, he has actually offered a keen insight into his relationship with his two biggest foes.
Novak Djokovic reveals relationships with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
Speaking to German outlet 20min, the Serbian superstar sought to look back on a mesmerising career and the two outstanding rivalries that have come along with it.
Boasting enormous mutual respect between the trio, he has now shed some additional light onto the nature of his relationship with Federer and Nadal, even picking his slight preference.
Djokovic, in a raw and real revelation, admitted: ‘I was never as loved as Federer and Nadal because I wasn’t supposed to be there. I was the little guy, the third guy who came along and said, ‘I’m going to be number one.’ Many people didn’t like that.
‘Just because someone is my biggest rival doesn’t mean I wish them harm, hate them, or want to do anything else on the court to defeat them. We fought for the win, and the better player won.
‘I’ve always respected both him and Federer; I’ve never said a single bad word about them and never will. I looked up to them and still do. But I’ve always gotten along better with Nadal.’
Novak Djokovic is seeking to set himself apart from the Big Three
There is one rather glaring reason why Djokovic remains ever-present on the tour despite having just turned 39, and the entire world knows it.
He wants Grand Slam number 25.
Novak Djokovic compared to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
| Novak Djokovic | Roger Federer | Rafael Nadal | |
| Grand Slam titles | 24 | 20 | 22 |
| Masters 1000 titles | 40 | 28 | 36 |
| ATP 500 titles | 15 | 24 | 23 |
| ATP 250 titles | 13 | 25 | 10 |
| ATP Finals titles | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| Total ATP titles | 99 | 103 | 91 |
| Gold Medals | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Win/Loss ratio vs Big 3 | 27/23 vs Federer, 31/29 vs Nadal | 23/27 vs Djokovic, 16/24 vs Nadal | 29/31 vs Djokovic 24/16 vs Federer |
Few can begrudge him for seeking to extend his lead atop the men’s leaderboard in this area, whilst putting himself out alone in the all-time records, beyond even Margaret Court.
If he were to do so, there truly would be no argument to be made against his status as the Greatest Of All Time.
As he alludes to in the aforementioned comments, Djokovic has always had something of a chip on his shoulder, particularly in regards to Federer and Nadal. For him to have usurped them both and be clear from everyone else in history, would likely be the only thing that could settle his relentless desire for more.
He has every Masters 1000 title and every Grand Slam title in abundance. After last summer, he even has the Olympic Gold Medal too.
One more major title is all he needs, and then Mats Wilander’s retirement prediction about Djokovic might turn out to be true.
