When it comes to ranking the greatest tennis players in history, itās nearly impossible not to include members of the āBig ThreeāāNovak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. These three legends dominate the Grand Slam title leaderboard, with Djokovic leading at 24, followed by Nadal with 22, and Federer with 20.
The one who dared to weigh in on the debate was none other than Novak Djokovic himself. Ahead of the Miami Open, where the Serbian star has claimed the title six times, he was asked by DAZN to blind rank five players.
As the interviewer named each legend, Djokovic had to assign them a spot in his ranking without knowing the subsequent names. The first name mentioned was Pete Sampras, whom Djokovic called āhis idolā and ranked at No. 3.
Then came the highly anticipated moment: ranking Nadal and Federer. Djokovic placed the Spaniard at No. 1, with Federer following at No. 2. To round out his list, Djokovic ranked Andre Agassi at No. 4 and his current coach, Andy Murray, at No. 5.
Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray during the 2022 Laver Cup. (Julian Finney/Getty Images for Laver Cup)
The unmatched legacy of the Big Three
Itās undeniable that the āBig Threeā has redefined the sport of tennis, delivering an unprecedented level of dominance and quality. These three players ruled the sport for over two decades, consistently clashing in the finals of nearly every major tournament. Together, they boast an astounding total of 66 Grand Slam titlesāa record unlikely to be surpassed.
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Their epic rivalries have produced some of the most iconic matches in tennis history. Take, for instance, the 2012 Australian Open final, where Djokovic defeated Nadal in what remains the longest Grand Slam final ever, lasting 5 hours and 53 minutes.
Head-to-head, Djokovic holds the edge over both Nadal and Federer. Against Nadal, Djokovic leads their 60-match rivalry with 31 wins to Nadalās 29. His record against Federer is similarly strong, winning 27 out of their 50 meetings, compared to Federerās 23 victories.
As for Nadal and Federerās rivalry, the Spaniard holds a decisive advantage, winning 24 of their 40 encounters compared to Federerās 16 victories. The legacy of Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer will likely stand the test of time, cementing their place as the greatest trio in tennis history.
