In a revealing new interview, tennis legend Roger Federer has identified the unique ability he believes sets him apart from his great rivals, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.
The Swiss maestro, who retired after the 2022 Laver Cup in London, suggested that his perspective on their historic two-decade rivalry has fundamentally shifted, granting him a clarity that the still-active Djokovic and the recently retired Nadal have yet to fully attain.
The Bigger Picture in Retirement
Speaking to Swiss publication Tages Anzeiger, Federer explained that time and distance from the professional tour have allowed him to see the 'bigger picture' of their collective achievements.
'Rivalries like that create a huge bond,' Federer stated. 'I see it very differently today than before, with much more distance. Novak doesn’t know what that’s like yet. Rafa is slowly getting there.'
He elaborated that while a player is still competing, it is impossible to reflect on their career with the same objectivity. 'When you’re still playing, you can’t think about it the way I do today,' he noted.
Federer described how the passage of time changes an athlete's self-perception. 'The more time passes, the less you identify yourself as an individual player and the more you see the big picture. What’s funny is, someone might have taken something totally personally and you can’t even remember it anymore.'
Djokovic's Desire for a Reunion
This reflection comes amidst repeated calls from Novak Djokovic for the three icons to reunite and reminisce. The Serbian star, now the last of the 'Big Three' still active on the ATP Tour, has openly expressed his wish to sit down with his former rivals.
Speaking at Wimbledon earlier this year, Djokovic said, 'I don’t reflect fully on everything I have been through.' He added, 'I would like to, but I think that’s going to come probably when I set the racket aside and I sip a margarita on the beach with Federer and Nadal and just reflect on our rivalry and everything.'
In a separate interview with GQ ahead of the 2025 season, Djokovic expanded on this desire. 'I do wish to have a drink or two with them and just open up and talk about the things that annoyed everyone about me. Or vice versa, whatever it is. Let’s just put it all out there,' he revealed.
A Legacy of 66 Grand Slams
Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, collectively known as the 'Big Three', defined an era of men's tennis. Together, they amassed a staggering 66 Grand Slam singles titles and spent years trading the world number one ranking.
Each carved out a legendary status on different surfaces: Federer's artistry reigned on grass, Nadal's power was unparalleled on clay, and Djokovic is widely regarded as the greatest all-round player of the trio.
The statistics of their head-to-head battles are a testament to their intense competition:
- Djokovic leads Federer 27-23 in their 50 meetings.
- Djokovic also leads Nadal 31-29 in their 60-match rivalry, which included finals in all four major tournaments.
Despite Federer's belief that a full reunion might be premature, he remains open to the idea. 'I’m definitely up for sitting down together and talking about the good old days,' he confirmed, leaving the door open for a historic summit between the three giants of the game.
