As the final embers of the greatest era in men’s tennis burn away, the animosity between the ‘Big 3’ at the heart of this great dama appears to have faded.
With Rafael Nadal confirming he will retire at next month’s Davis Cup Finals, Novak Djokovic will soon be the final man standing amid a trio of icons who rewrote the tennis rule books over the last 20 decades, setting records that seemed inconceivable until they turned them into reality.
Djokovic won the biggest battles against his great rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, as he will end his career with the most Grand Slam titles, the most weeks as world No 1 and more ATP Masters titles than any player in history, ensuring he can lay claim to the title of the greatest player of them all.
The debates over what might have been had injury not halted Nadal’s progress in recent years will soon fade as tennis gets used to a world without the Spaniard, who has confirmed he will retire after next month’s Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
Federer left the stage following his retirement at the 2022 Laver Cup in London and with Nadal following him, the perceived animosity between the greatest male players of all time is diluting.
While Federer and Nadal have shared a friendly rivalry over the last decade, Djokovic has not always had such a warm relationship with his two chief rivals.
There was always a perception that Federer and Nadal were less than sympathetic to the Serbian’s position when he was deported from Australia in 2022 due to his stance over Covid vaccines, with Nadal perceived to be especially hostile towards Djokovic with some of his comments down the years.
Yet Djokovic offered a gushing tribute to his biggest rival when Nadal, as he spoke emotionally about the end of the careers of Federer, Nadal and Andy Murray.
“He’s been my greatest rival,” declared Djokovic. “The rivalry I had with him has impacted me the most in my career by far.
“We knew that the moment was coming sooner than later, but it’s still a shock when the announcement comes. When it came officially, also for Roger a few years ago when he announced retirement. Andy (Murray) as well this year.
“It’s a bit overwhelming for me to be honest. I don’t know what to make of it. I still enjoy competing.
“But part of me left with them. A big part of me. It’s tough news for the tennis world and sports world. Rafa has been an inspiration for tons of children around the world.”
Images of Djokovic greeting Federer warmly as they met behind the scenes at the 2024 Shanghai Masters confirmed their often fractious sporting rivalry is now a distant memory and a similar vibe may well prevail between the other two members of the ‘Big 3’ after Novak confirmed he will fly to Spain to part of the farewell tributes to Nadal in Malaga next month.
The 10 men with the most weeks in the Top 5 of ATP Rankings: ft. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal & Novak Djokovic
The 7 active ATP players with the most hard-court titles: Novak Djokovic No 1, Jannik Sinner on 15
Of course, it’s hard to be friends with a player who is likely to be facing you in Grand Slam finals two or three times every year, but the respect that is built up between players who reach those lofty heights creates a unique bond only the true greats enjoy.
John McEnroe’s respect for his great rival Bjorn Borg has turned into a friendship since their battles on court ended and the same was true with Federer and Nadal, who became friends even before their careers came to an end.
Djokovic may not have shared that kind of both with the other two members of the ‘Big 3’, but he was there for Federer’s farewell at the Laver Cup and he will also be present for Nadal’s last matches at the Davis Cup next month.
It would be nice to think that both Federer and Nadal will find time to attend Djokovic’s last match as these three giants of our sport share a respect that should be concluded in the right manner.
Djokovic opened up on his relationship with Federer and Nadal in a US TV interview last year, as he admitted he would like to think the trio could sit down for a friendly dinner in the future, when their battles on the court are over.
“I would like to. I would really like to,” says Djokovic as he looked forward to a possible dinner date with Federer and Nadal.
“Personally, I would like to. I mean, I know that obviously (laughs) we didn’t get along so well throughout our careers in, like, off court.
“And we are not friends because, you know, we’re rivals and it’s difficult as competitors to be very close and kind of share and give insights to you know, to your life or to how you feel because, you know, it could be used against you.
“But we have shared the stage for so many years. And I think the greatest respect is always there, at least from my side, towards them.
“So yeah, I hope that one day, when the curtains are slightly more closed, that we are able to sit down and reflect. It would be amazing.”
Djokovic may still have a couple of big wins left in him before his retirement announcement comes, but tennis has already moved on from the era dominated by Federer, Nadal and Djokovic with new heroes who are setting the benchmark for what is to come.
If Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and the rest of the young guns at the top of the sport get anywhere near the achievements of the ‘Big 3’, they will have joined sporting immortals who made the previously impossible dream of winning 20 Grand Slam titles a reality.
Read Next: Roger Federer backs up his promise to apologise to Carlos Alcaraz in style
