{"id":55704,"date":"2025-06-14T01:58:25","date_gmt":"2025-06-14T01:58:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=55704"},"modified":"2025-06-14T01:58:25","modified_gmt":"2025-06-14T01:58:25","slug":"novak-djokovic-makes-feelings-clear-on-relationship-with-roger-federer-and-rafa-nadal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usatoday.azontree.com\/?p=55704","title":{"rendered":"Novak Djokovic makes feelings clear on relationship with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Novak Djokovic has opened up about his rivalry with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and admitted that he always felt closer to the Spaniard than his legendary Swiss counterpart<\/h2>\n
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\"MIAMI<\/figure>\n

Novak Djokovic has shed light on his relationships with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal<\/span>(Image:\u00a0Getty Images)<\/span><\/div>\n

Novak Djokovic has shed light on his relationships with tennis legends\u00a0R<\/a>afael Nadal\u00a0and\u00a0Roger Federer. The 24-time Grand Slam-winner admitted he feels a stronger bond with the Spaniard as opposed to the Swiss icon.<\/p>\n

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Djokovic, who is the last man standing of the iconic Big Three,\u00a0hinted at retirement following his exit\u00a0from the\u00a0French Open\u00a0last week, suggesting it could have been\u00a0his swansong\u00a0at Roland Garros.<\/p>\n

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The 38-year-old, Nadal and Federer have\u00a0defined an extraordinary period in tennis, with their rivalry elevating the sport to\u00a0unprecedented heights. Despite the intense on-court battles, Djokovic maintains there was no bad blood between them as his time to call it quits looms.<\/p>\n

Speaking to Slaven Bilic on\u00a0Failure of Champions, Djokovic shared his philosophy, saying: “Just because someone is my biggest rival doesn’t mean I wish them harm, hate them, or want to do anything else on the court to defeat them. We fought for the win, and the better player won.”<\/p>\n

He further disclosed his closer rapport with Nadal over Federer, adding: “I’ve never said a single bad word about them and never will. I looked up to them and still do, but I’ve always gotten along better with Nadal.”<\/p>\n

Reflecting on his rise to join the ranks of the Big Three, Djokovic further confessed to feeling like the underdog despite his impressive Grand Slam tally, reports\u00a0the Express<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Serb was the most fiery of the three, with Djokovic revealing his thoughts on why he felt the need to stand out from his well-established rivals.<\/p>\n

“I acted and still felt like an unwanted child,” Djokovic admitted. “I asked myself why that was. It hurt me. Then I thought the fans would accept me if I acted differently, but that wasn’t the case either.<\/p>\n

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\"Federer,<\/figure>\n

Djokovic states he is closer to Nadal than Federer<\/span>(Image:\u00a0Getty Images)<\/span><\/div>\n

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“I was never as loved as Federer and Nadal because I wasn’t supposed to be there. I was the little guy, the third guy who came along and said: ‘I’m going to be No 1.’ Many people didn’t like that.<\/p>\n

“I am a man with many flaws, of course. Nevertheless, I have always tried to live with heart and good intentions and, ultimately, to be myself.”<\/p>\n

Although Djokovic’s future in tennis remains uncertain, the legendary John McEnroe argues that as long as he continues to compete at the top level, the Serbian shouldn’t retire just yet.<\/p>\n

“It’s impossible not to admire him,” said seven-time Grand Slam winner McEnroe, as per Corriere della Sera. “I consider him the Lebron James of tennis.<\/p>\n

“Due to his age, he struggles more and more to keep up with Carlos (Alcaraz) and Jannik’s pace, but he remains a prodigy, someone science should study.<\/p>\n

“Why should he retire if he continues to be so competitive? He is still the best competitor against the top two, and he has two major advantages: his experience and the ability to recover from tough moments.”<\/p>\n

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