Djokovic Prefers 'Nicer' Relationship With Young Players Compared To Nadal And Federer

| by Alex Waite

Novak Djokovic revealed that he gets along better with some of the up-and-coming men's players than he did with the likes of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

For nearly two decades, Djokovic dominated the elite of men's tennis alongside Federer and Nadal, who all became known as the ATP's 'Big Three' due to their contentious success.

Between the three players, they won 66 Grand Slam titles, with Djokovic claiming 24 in his career. However, when speaking after his Australian Open quarter-final victory over Taylor Fritz, Djokovic explained that he has positive interactions with some of the younger players of today, like Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner.

In addition, the Serbian stated that he has formed better relationships with these future stars compared to other more experienced players.

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"I am really enjoying the rivalries I have with all those guys. Alcaraz, Medvedev, Sinner, everybody near the top I get along with quite nicely. If I were to compare my relationship with them to the one I had with Federer and Nadal, the relationship with my younger fellow players is much better, nicer. I enjoy it."

In the midst of a tense rivalry that spans so many years, it is perhaps difficult to maintain good relationships when there is so much at stake.

Djokovic has also previously spoken out about how he does not consider either Nadal or Federer as his friends, but that he would like to bridge these relationships to become more positive.

However, the 36-year-old shared that he finds it easier to relate to the ATP's younger players than he did with previous top players of different generations. Speaking to the Serbian press after his win against Fritz, Djokovic shared some of the reasons for his developing connection with Alcaraz, Sinner, and Medvedev.

"I don’t know, it’s just more open, the younger guys are more communicative. We just get along better, that’s it.”

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