Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer leave Casper Ruud baffled: ‘I just don’t understand’

Ewan West
Casper Ruud, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
Casper Ruud has discussed Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer

Casper Ruud has admitted he does not understand how the domination and longevity of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer is possible. 

The three-time Grand Slam finalist also conveyed particular disbelief at the way Nadal “never let the emotions get to him for like 20 years.”

Djokovic, Nadal and Federer have won an astonishing 66 Grand Slam titles between them, having secured 24, 22 and 20 respectively. The trio make up the top three for the most men’s majors won in the history of tennis.

From Federer’s first Grand Slam triumph at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships to Djokovic’s most recent at the 2023 US Open, the Big Three won all but 15 of the 81 majors held.

Federer called time on his career in 2022, while Nadal is set to retire following the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month, leaving Djokovic as the only remaining Big Three member.

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Speaking on an episode of the Nothing Major podcast, Ruud expressed the awe with which he regards Nadal, Djokovic and Federer.

“Rafa’s always like — doesn’t swear on court,” the world No 7 said. “He never threw a racket. He never let the emotions get to him for like 20 years which for me is just like… how is it possible?

“I’ve understood how crazy it is from Rafa, Roger, and Novak, that they performed every single year for like 17, 18 years. They’ve been so good.

“How have they been able to keep the motivation up? How they’ve been able to be strict with themselves? How have they been able to win like 70 matches every year? Year in, year out.

“I just don’t understand how it’s possible. It’s one thing to do it three, four, or five years. But for them it’s been almost 20 years of pure domination.”

Ruud lost his only career meeting with Federer, while he holds an 0-2 record against Nadal and a 1-5 record against Djokovic — who he defeated in the pair’s most recent encounter at this year’s Monte Carlo Masters.

Two of the 25-year-old Norwegian’s three losses in Grand Slam championship matches came to Nadal and Djokovic at the French Open in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

Ruud will face Jordan Thompson in his opening match at the Paris Masters this week.

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