Novak Djokovic has reflected on longtime rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's legacies in the sport, saying that "tennis misses them."
The Big Three of Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal dominated the sport year after year. Between them, the trio have 66 major titles while several of their encounters are considered among the greatest tennis matches of all time. In terms of Grand Slams, the Serb leads the way with an all-time record of 24 titles - a milestone that he achieved recently at the US Open - while Nadal and Federer have 22 and 20 victories to their names respectively.
However, after years of breaking records and making history, the Big Three finally dissolved twelve months ago when Federer retired in September 2022. This dissolution continued when Nadal's injuries forced him to miss most of this year on the ATP Tour while he hinted that the 2024 season could be his last.
During this time, the youngest of the trio has been enjoying an almost uninterrupted reign over men's singles. Djokovic lifted the trophy at three out of four Grand Slams this year, ousting Stefanos Tsitsipas and Casper Ruud in straight sets to win the Australian Open and French Open respectively, before doing the same against Daniil Medvedev at Flushing Meadows.
Although the Serb lost to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon, he still made the final which is hardly an easy feat. Moreover, he has since usurped the Spaniard to regain the World No. 1 position in the ATP Ranking.
It is perhaps unsurprising then that the 36-year-old admitted he does not miss having to face his fellow tennis legends in grueling encounters. These included his five-hour and fifty-three-minute clash with Nadal in the 2012 Australian Open final, which is still the longest major final in history.
"I don't know if I miss them," he jokingly confessed. However, he quickly added that he is sure the sport as a whole misses the immense impact of his former rivals.
"But I'm sure tennis misses them. These two are legends of our sport. They left a very great legacy both in tennis and in sports in general," he continued.
Novak Djokovic says tennis misses Roger Federer & Rafa Nadal: “I don't know if I miss them 😂. But I'm sure tennis misses them. These two are legends of our sport. They left a very great legacy both in tennis & in sports in general…” (via Sports Klub)
