There is the reality of the figures and that of the field. And on this, Rafael Nadal is categorical. Roger Federer was his greatest opponent. “ I played against Novak Djokovic more than anyone else, but for me the biggest rival was Federer “, Nadal declared to the newspaper As. That’s because Federer was there as an opponent from the start. That throughout their careers, both players found themselves at the end of tournaments.
« When I arrived on the circuit, Federer was already there and he was number one. At the peak of my career, it was Roger and Novak. But in the very influential early years, it was always Roger. » Nadal has faced Federer 40 times (24 wins 16 losses) and Djokovic 60 times (29 wins, 31 losses).
But “Djokovic is the greatest”
But Nadal is a gentleman, and for him, Djokovic is the greatest. « This has always been an incredible challenge against Novak. He has managed to maintain a very high level and improve year after year. That’s why he’s the best, and he deserves it. I think, and I don’t know why, that my rivalries with both of them were more intense than those they had with each other. I think the rest of the world sees it that way too. Maybe with Roger it was because our style and approach to the sport was so different. »
