Rafael Nadal reflected on his rivalries with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer (Image: Getty)
Rafael Nadal has claimed that Roger Federer is his “greatest rival” even though he had more fierce competition with Novak Djokovic.
As the Spaniard prepares to retire, he has reflected on his iconic rivalries with the rest of the Big Three.
Despite facing Djokovic a staggering 60 times, Nadal explained why he thought Federer had a bigger impact on his career.
Nadal will be the second member of the Big Three to hang up his racket. Two years ago, he helped send Federer into retirement by partnering the Swiss star for his farewell doubles match at the Laver Cup.
Djokovic was also part of the team cheering them on from the bench. The Spaniard will now get his turn to say goodbye at next month’s Davis Cup Finals, where Djokovic is again planning to wave off his old foe.
While the three tennis legends now have a warm relationship, waving each other off at the ends of their careers, their competition was once so fierce that they couldn’t “be friends”.
Nadal has now looked back on his battles with both men, admitting that he sees Federer as his greatest rival. “Djokovic is the player I have faced the most, but for me, my biggest rival has been Federer,” Nadal told AS.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal faced off one last time at the Six Kings Slam exhibition (Image: Getty
“Because, when I arrived on the circuit, it was Federer who was there and he was the first. In the years when I was at my best in every sense of the word, it was Roger and Novak.
“But in the first years, which are the ones that leave a special mark on you, Roger was always there.”
The ‘Fedal’ rivalry has been one of the most iconic in all of sports, while Nadal and Djokovic have faced off more than any other male players. It leaves the Federer vs Djokovic duel at the bottom of the Big Three pile and Nadal tried to explain why he was involved in the greatest battles.
He continued: “I think, and I don’t know why, that my rivalry with the two of them has been more intense than the one they had between them. I don’t know exactly what the reason is, but I feel that the world perceives it that way.
“We would have to find the reason. With Roger, I am clear that it is because it was a very sharp contrast in styles and ways of seeing and approaching the sport. And with Novak, of course, it has been an incredible challenge.
“In the end, he is a player who has managed to maintain a very high level of play and improve every year.
“The numbers say that he is the best, so his tennis level has also been the best and, in addition, he is the one who has managed to stay the furthest away from injuries.”
Although Nadal thinks the world No. 4 got luckier with his body, he also knows Djokovic deserves his records and success. “That has allowed Novak to maintain his physical, tennis and mental level for longer. It is not an excuse, thanks to that he is the best and he has really earned it,” he added.