‘It is the most important thing’ – Rafael Nadal reveals secret behind prolonged successes of the ‘big three’

ATP Tour
Fabio Fognini says he is ready to repeat his Monte-Carlo masterpiece and beat Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to the French Open title.

Rafael Nadal says it is desire, not talent, which has kept the ‘big three’ of himself, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer on top of the tennis world for so long.

The top trio have dominated the ATP Tour for the best part of two decades now, winning 56 Grand Slam titles between them – including the last 13.

Only really Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka, who has won three Grand Slams a piece during that time, have shown any ability to compete with Rafael Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer on a consistent basis, but the Spaniard has warned against trying to over-analyse their dominance.

“We can talk about many technical things, but the most important thing is the love for tennis that the three of us feel because, without all that, everything else is not possible,” Nadal told ESPN.

“I think what makes the greats of sport really great is the desire and passion to do what they do and to be better.

“With that and the right people in our environment, we have found the way to always improve.”

Aside from those mentioned, Marin Cilic and Juan Martin del Potro the only other currently active players to have claimed a major title.

Remarkably, 31-year-old Cilic is the youngest man in the world to have a Grand Slam crown to his name.

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Andy Murray Juan Martin del Potro Marin Cilic Novak Djokovic Rafael Nadal Roger Federer Stan Wawrinka

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