In his first interview since announcing his retirement, Rafael Nadal opened up about the friendships and rivalries that defined his career, particularly with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Known as the “Big Three,” the trio took tennis to extraordinary heights over two decades, with Federer stepping away in 2022 and Nadal set to follow after the Davis Cup Finals in November.
Speaking to DAZN, Nadal reflected on the profound relationships he’s built with both rivals. “With Roger, I have a special relationship, but with Novak too I have a good relationship,” he said. “We all understand that in the end, tennis is just a match. In life, we have more important things outside of tennis.” For Nadal, his journey wasn’t just about winning titles but sharing respect and camaraderie that transcended competition.
Nadal’s fierce rivalries with Federer and Djokovic pushed each of them to extraordinary levels. “Playing against Novak has always been a big challenge; he is a player who has always pushed me to the highest level,” Nadal remarked. “With Roger too, we pushed each other to get better and better because we knew the other was always strong.”
Nadal and Federer’s iconic head-to-head record stands at 24-16 in Rafa’s favor, but his rivalry with Djokovic reached an even more intense level, with the two clashing 60 times, Djokovic holding a slight 31-29 edge. Although their days of official competition are winding down, Nadal and Djokovic will meet once more in an exhibition event in Saudi Arabia, marking one final unofficial showdown in their storied careers.
For Nadal, the competitive fire remains, but he’s also embracing a new perspective. “In the end, tennis is only a game, but relationships go beyond that,” he noted. “That’s the beauty of sport.” And as tickets for Nadal’s last match skyrocket in value, it’s clear that fans feel the same way.
