Novak Djokovic has surpassed Roger Federer in the record books (Image: Getty)
Roger Federer made history during his career, becoming the first male player to win 20 Grand Slam titles and spending the most weeks at No. 1. But the Swiss star didn’t get to spend too long at the top of the pile before Novak Djokovic spoiled the party.
The Serb burst onto the scene a few years later than his biggest competitors, Federer and Rafael Nadal, but he came from behind to rewrite history. Djokovic has 24 Grand Slams and has spent 428 weeks atop the rankings, an all-time record. But Federer had the perfect response to his rival’s success.
Federer won his 20th and final Grand Slam title at the 2018 Australian Open, beating Marin Cilic in a thrilling five-setter. He became the first man to get to 20 Majors, and the weight of the occasion got to him – he burst into tears during the trophy presentation.
However, Federer’s incredible achievement was overshadowed within a matter of years. In 2022, Nadal pulled ahead by picking up his 21st and 22nd Slam titles. Then, in 2023, Djokovic ended the season with 24 – the most won by any tennis player in the Open Era.
The Swiss star never had the chance to get back in the race. He retired at the Laver Cup in September 2022 and had to watch from afar as Djokovic cemented himself as the sport’s Greatest Of All Time.
But the 43-year-old wasn’t too hung up on the records, as he had a fitting response to seeing Djokovic surpass him, claiming: “It’s all good.”
Roger Federer was in the stands for Novak Djokovic’s Shanghai Masters final last year (Image: Getty)
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As the first member of the Big Three to retire, Federer was asked how much he kept track of Djokovic and Nadal’s performances – especially whenever they were close to rewriting history.
“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,” the former world No. 1 told GQ. “It’s all good, you know?”
The eight-time Wimbledon champion was also happy to see Djokovic’s continued success. He continued: “I’ve followed it and I love to see that especially Novak’s been going from strength to strength. It keeps on going.”
After spending a few years on the sidelines, Federer has lost any sense of the competitor inside him. Instead, he enjoys watching records get broken.
“I think you also take a different role when you retire. You end up being very, I dunno, content in your position, and you also are supportive of the game as a whole,” he added.
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“So if things are achieved, I see it in the sphere of: Okay, well, we’re competing not within the tennis-level sphere, but actually we’re competing in the sports sphere, putting tennis on the map on a bigger scale.”
Federer also seems to have a better relationship with Djokovic since ending his career. The pair caught up at last year’s Shanghai Masters when the Swiss ace was on site to carry out sponsorship commitments.
They had a warm greeting in the corridors, with Federer jokingly branding his former foe an “old man”. The 20-time Major winner later turned up at Djokovic’s final against Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic has struggled for form in recent months. His last title came at the Olympics, and he is currently on a three-match losing streak following his defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp.
