Novak Djokovic opens Up About Federer and Nadal Rivalry: “I Felt Like an Unwanted Child”
Table of Contents
- Novak Djokovic opens Up About Federer and Nadal Rivalry: “I Felt Like an Unwanted Child”
- Djokovic’s Early Struggles for Acceptance
- A “Cold” but Respectful Rivalry
- Djokovic’s Illustrious Career
- The Enduring Legacy of the Big Three
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How did Novak Djokovic describe his early relationship with Nadal and Federer?
- What was Djokovic’s perception of fan support during his rise to prominence?
- How would Djokovic characterize his relationship with Nadal and Federer?
- What are some of novak Djokovic’s career achievements?
- When did Novak Djokovic last win a Grand Slam?
- Against whom did Novak Djokovic lose in the 2024 Wimbledon final?
In a candid interview, Novak Djokovic reflected on his early career and the dynamics of his relationships with tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.Djokovic revealed that he felt like an outsider as he began to challenge their dominance, impacting the established rivalry between the Spanish and Swiss stars [2].
Djokovic’s Early Struggles for Acceptance
Djokovic shared his feelings of being an “unwanted child” as he rose to prominence in a tennis world largely dominated by nadal and federer. He noted that he always tried to be himself but felt a lack of acceptance. “I was never as dear as they were,” Djokovic stated, recalling his early years when he began to assert himself against the established duo.
Did You Know? Djokovic’s rivalry with Rafael Nadal is one of the moast frequent in the Open Era [1].
The Serbian star emphasized that his emergence as a top player was not always welcomed.”he was not suppose to be there. He was the little one, the third who arrived and said: ‘I will be number one’. Many people didn’t like that,” Djokovic explained.
A “Cold” but Respectful Rivalry
Djokovic characterized his relationship with Nadal and Federer as “cold” due to the intense competition, but he stressed that it was never fueled by personal animosity. He affirmed his respect for both players, stating, “That someone is my greatest rival does not mean that they want evil, I hate it or want to do anything else on the court to defeat it. we fight for victory and won the best player.”
Pro Tip: Understanding the nuances of player rivalries adds depth to the viewing experience.
He further added, “I have always respected Federer and Nadal; I have never said a single bad word about them and I will never do it. I admired them and I still do it. But I’ve always got better with Nadal.”
Djokovic’s Illustrious Career
Despite the challenges he faced early in his career, Novak Djokovic has cemented his place as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. As of June 2025, his achievements include 24 grand Slam titles, 40 Masters titles, an Olympic gold medal, and over 100 ATP titles. While he faced a defeat against Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 Wimbledon final, Djokovic continues to compete at the highest level.
| Achievement | Number |
|---|---|
| Grand Slam Titles | 24 |
| Masters Titles | 40 |
| ATP Titles | 100+ |
| Olympic Gold Medals | 1 |
The Enduring Legacy of the Big Three
The era of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, frequently enough referred to as the “Big Three,” has redefined men’s tennis. Their rivalries have not onyl produced some of the most memorable matches in history but have also pushed each player to achieve unprecedented levels of success. While Federer has retired, Nadal and Djokovic continue to compete, albeit with younger stars like Carlos Alcaraz emerging as formidable challengers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Novak Djokovic describe his early relationship with Nadal and Federer?
Djokovic expressed that he felt like an ‘unwanted child’ as he emerged onto the scene, impacting the established rivalry between Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
What was Djokovic’s perception of fan support during his rise to prominence?
Djokovic felt that he wasn’t as ‘dear’ to fans as Nadal and Federer were,and he sensed that many people didn’t like his ambition to become number one.
How would Djokovic characterize his relationship with Nadal and Federer?
Djokovic described his relationship with both Nadal and Federer as ‘cold’ due to sports rivalry, but emphasized that it was never due to personal animosity.He maintains respect and admiration for both players.
What are some of novak Djokovic’s career achievements?
Novak Djokovic’s impressive career includes 24 Grand Slam titles, 40 Masters titles, an Olympic gold medal, and over 100 ATP titles, solidifying his place among the greatest tennis players of all time.
When did Novak Djokovic last win a Grand Slam?
As of the provided article, Novak Djokovic’s last Grand Slam win was at the US Open 2023.
Against whom did Novak Djokovic lose in the 2024 Wimbledon final?
Novak Djokovic was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz in the 2024 Wimbledon final.
What are your favorite memories of the Djokovic-Federer-Nadal era? Do you think Alcaraz will usher in a new era of tennis dominance?
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