Novak Djokovic recently opened up about who he believes is the most inherently gifted player among the tennis greats, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and himself.
That discussion took place during an appearance on a podcast with Slaven Bilic, where Djokovic framed the Big Three era as unforgettable yet distinctly defined by each player’s unique attributes.
Djokovic began by explaining what set Federer apart in his eyes:
“Federer is the most talented one, the most beautiful to watch when playing,” the 38 year old said. “He uses his energy most efficiently. He moved so lightly, so elegantly and so efficiently, while Nadal is the opposite extreme, he dominated physically.”
That single statement offers a telling contrast. Federer‘s effortless grace on court-his seamless footwork and poetic shotmaking-has long impressed both fans and peers.
Djokovic‘s words validate why many consider Federer the visual embodiment of tennis artistry.
Djokovic didn’t stop there. He offered his own self-assessment:
“I was somewhere in between, but I leaned more towards Nadal’s style of play. So more sliding, more running, baselinefocused play and so on.”
This reflects Djokovic‘s grittier, relentless baseline game-built for long rallies and mental endurance akin to Nadal‘s claycourt mastery rather than Federer‘s balletic approach.
How their rivalry fueled growth and excellence
Djokovic underscored how much he learned from competing with his two legendary rivals, saying:
“Each of us had our own characteristics, and over time as our rivalries developed, they evolved and strengthened. We always say that, all three of us… Through those rivalries, we each contributed to one other’s growth as tennis players and as people.”
He also pinpointed a transformative period around 2011 when his career trajectory shifted decisively, thanks to the intense competition:
“I say it without hesitation, my rivalries with those two had the biggest influence on my development, especially in the second part of my career from 2011 onward.”
That era, marked by epic encounters like the 2012 Australian Open final against Nadal and the marathon 2019 Wimbledon final versus Federer, sealed Djokovic‘s legacy. He now holds a record 24 Grand Slams, compared with Nadal‘s 22 and Federer‘s 20.
Djokovic‘s comments go beyond mere admiration; they reflect a deep understanding of how each player complemented and challenged the others.
Though he acknowledged Federer‘s sublime natural talent, Djokovic‘s own perseverance, adaptability, and physical prowess forged his version of greatness.
His self-awareness is noteworthy. While he lauded Federer‘s artistry, he also implied that his grounded, baselinewarrior style gave him an edge in longevity and success across all surfaces.
Djokovic has reached unmatched heights: holding the record for most weeks at No. 1, a dominant headtohead record against both Nadal and Federer, and the only man to complete a double Career Grand Slam. That suggests supreme skill not only in moments of brilliance but in sustained dominance.
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