Roger Federer discusses Novak Djokovic’s success and Rafael Nadal’s injury struggles

Ewan West 14 Mar 2024 8:54 PM

Roger Federer Rafael Nadal Novak Djokovic discuss tactics

(L-R) The Big Three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

Roger Federer has shared his thoughts on his two great rivals as he addressed the record-breaking exploits of Novak Djokovic and the recent injury troubles of Rafael Nadal.

The legendary Swiss declared he will not set aside his schedule to watch specific matches since his retirement, but divulged he does follow the progress of Djokovic and Nadal.

Federer became the first member of the Big Three/Four to retire when he called time on his glittering career at the 2022 Laver Cup, with Nadal, Djokovic and Andy Murray all present as members of Team Europe.

The former world No 1 shared the court with Nadal for his final match as the duo teamed up to play doubles at the team competition, which was held in London.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion contested the last match of his singles career in the quarter-finals of the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, where he lost to Hubert Hurkacz.

The 42-year-old underwent three surgeries on his right knee between 2020 and 2021, with the injury largely restricting him from playing in the latter stages of his career.

READ MORE: 13 players with the longest-winning streaks in men’s tennis: Roger Federer 6th

In an interview with GQ Sports, Federer was asked how much attention he pays to Nadal and Djokovic given the epic rivalries he shared with the two greats.

“I mean obviously you’re aware when they’re in the finals or you’re aware when Rafa comes back or you’re aware when Novak breaks another record. It’s all good, you know? But I will not set my schedule aside, like, well, ‘This match I have to see’,” the Swiss said.

“But obviously I’ve followed it and I love to see that, especially Novak’s been going from strength to strength. It keeps on going. And Rafa obviously, I felt sad for him that he has not been able to play nearly as much or at all to what he wanted to do.

“I hope that he can do what he wants to do in the summer, because even though I have a good feeling for him, and I know he pulled out of Indian Wells and Doha and all that stuff, but I still am very hopeful that he can get back on the train and ride it.”

Federer also spoke about the feeling of watching his main competitors continue to play and expressed his happiness that he was the first of the Big Four to leave the sport.

“It feels good. When I retired in London at the press conference next to Andy [Murray], Novak, Rafa, and [Bjorn] Borg and everybody who was there, I said, ‘It’s fitting for me to be the first to go.’ I had the time without them on tour when I came on tour and now it’s their time to have a moment on tour without me,” Federer explained.

“So it would’ve felt wrong for me if Murray, who almost retired with his hip, or Rafa with his knees, we didn’t know how long he was going to play. So I’m happy I was the first to go. And actually I wish that they can go on for as long as I did.”