Big Three should get their own induction believes Johanna Konta: "What was unbelievable, it wasn't just their individual careers"
ATPWednesday, 26 August 2026 at 15:58
Johanna Konta believes that perhaps the Big Three should be inducted with each other in the lifespan of the Tennis Hall of Fame. Federer has returned to the US Open ahead of his induction to the Tennis Hall of Fame. He is joining the likes of Maria Sharapova, Lleyton Hewitt and Goran Ivanisevic as some of the recent inductees.
It appears inevitable that Nadal and Djokovic will join the 20-time Grand Slam champion on the prestigious list which requires a buffer of five years off tour to be inducted. While the Hall of Fame honours individual players usually, Konta believes the Big Three deserve to be recognised equally as well as on their own.
"They have their own separate ones, but then a joint one, because what was unbelievable, it wasn't just their individual careers, it was how they had their careers alongside each other," Konta said on TNT.
"That's what made the whole thing incredible, because Roger on his own would have still been spectacular and special, but it would have not been as emotional, as massive, as engrossing if Rafa wasn't having the same alongside him, and then Novak joining alongside them. So I think individually, 100%, but jointly, they gave something that I don't know when we'll see something of that calibre again."
Federer basically in Hall of Fame already
But while it becomes official this weekend, Konta went on to add that in her mind at least Federer has been in it long before he has actually been inducted this time and that she gained a serious amount of nostalgia from seeing him return to the court this past Tuesday where he faced off against Andy Roddick winning in one set.
Two contemporaries back on court in what was a packed out Arthur Ashe showing the appeal still of the Swiss ace and for Konta she added that in reality him and Nadal felt like they were in it even before they stopped playing.
"It feels like he's already in it. Do you know what I mean? It almost feels pointless because it's so obvious that it almost doesn't seem real. But I saw a little clip from clip of him tying his bandanna up, and it was just so nostalgic.
Federer returned last night.
"I only saw short little clips of him playing, but will he ever lose it? Will he ever lose that ease, that style? You know what, I want to see Roger Federer at 80 [years old]. I want to see him on court at 80 just to see what it looks like, because, I can't imagine him looking any different.
"It's [the Hall of Fame] important because it celebrates something that's gone.
"But again, I think in the context of someone like Roger, it almost feels pointless just because I feel like he was - and, to be fair, Rafa and Novak - it feels like they are already in the Hall of Fame while they were actively playing."
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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