Federer on respect for Djokovic and Nadal: 'You start appreciating what they have done for your career'

Federer says now he appreciates what they've done for his career, how much they have pushed him and forced him to adjust.

He also praised them for their consistency and said that every time they play you know they are going to play great so that's why they get massive respect from him.

"100 percent. In the beginning you are just trying to beat him. Then you try to improve to keep beating him or to beat him again because you may have not beaten him in a while.

And then later you start appreciating what they have done for your career, how much they have pushed you and how they forced you to adjust. Maybe the game evolved, maybe they serve bigger, maybe they play more from the baseline, maybe the balls have changed, maybe more people come to the net.

Rafa is playing quite differently than 15 years ago, as well as Novak who is much more secure with his game. It's such a high level. This is what those two guys have done so well over the last 15 years, their consistency.

Every day they come to practice or the game and you know you are gonna see a great performance and honestly it deserves a lot of respect."