Novak Djokovic‘s pursuit of adding another Roland Garros title fell short this year as he was ousted in the semifinals by the current World No. 1, Jannik Sinner, who went on to be the tournament’s runner-up. Despite the setback, the three-time French Open champion’s legacy endures in Paris, drawing fervent support from fans. There was a period, however, when Djokovic, despite being part of the illustrious “Big Three” alongside Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, grappled with feelings of frustration at the pinnacle of his career.
Holding the record for most Grand Slam titles is an achievement of monumental significance, but it hasn’t always equated to unbridled joy for Djokovic. His journey from practicing tennis in a repurposed swimming pool to being recognized as one of the greatest of all time was fraught with challenges. His early years in the sport were anything but tranquil.
In a revealing interview with Failures of Champions, Djokovic expressed the emotional complexities of being one-third of tennis’s most famed rivalry. Although fans recognized his ascent to the “Big Three,” Djokovic often felt he was not as warmly embraced as Federer or Nadal.
“I felt like the unwanted child in the trio. I often questioned why that was the case, and it was painful,” Djokovic admitted. “I thought changing my demeanor might win them over, but that proved ineffective too.”
Tennis legends Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
The Serbian icon further reflected: “I never achieved the same level of adoration as Federer and Nadal because, in a way, I wasn’t supposed to disrupt their narrative. I was the third man who boldly declared, ‘I’m going to be number one.’ Not everyone welcomed that.“
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Djokovic reflects on rivalries with Federer and Nadal
When Novak Djokovic clashed with Federer and Nadal in the finals of various Grand Slam tournaments, the intensity often made it seem as though they were fierce adversaries. However, Djokovic has revealed that such competitive encounters are simply part of the sport and shouldn’t be misconstrued as personal animosity.
“Just because someone is my biggest rival doesn’t mean I wish them harm, hate them, or want to do anything else on the court to defeat them. We fought for the win, and the better player won,“ Djokovic remarked.
He continued, “I’ve always respected both Federer and Nadal; I’ve never said a single bad word about them and never will. I looked up to them and still do. But I’ve always gotten along better with Nadal.“
Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal rivalry by the numbers
Despite the formidable challenges Djokovic faced earlier in his career, he has amassed impressive statistics against both Federer and Nadal. As Federer and Nadal have moved toward retirement, Djokovic remains focused on extending his legacy both on and off the court. He is poised to tackle upcoming challenges and set even more remarkable records in the tennis world.
- Vs. Rafael Nadal (Djokovic leads 31-29 overall):
- Total Matches: 60 (Open Era record)
- Grand Slam Matches: Nadal leads 11-7
- Grand Slam Finals: Nadal leads 5-4
- ATP Finals: Djokovic leads 3-2
- Masters 1000: Djokovic leads 16-13
- Surface Breakdown:
- Hard Courts: Djokovic leads 20-7
- Clay Courts: Nadal leads 20-9
- Grass Courts: Tied 2-2
- Vs. Roger Federer (Djokovic leads 27-23 overall):
- Total Matches: 50
- Grand Slam Matches: Djokovic leads 11-6
- Grand Slam Finals: Djokovic leads 4-1
ATP Finals: Djokovic leads 3-2 - Masters 1000: Djokovic leads 11-8
- Surface Breakdown:
- Hard Courts: Djokovic leads 20-18
- Clay Courts: Djokovic leads 4-0
- Grass Courts: Djokovic leads 3-1
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