'We're Not Friends': Djokovic Open To Improving Relationship With Nadal & Federer Post-Career
ATPSaturday, 09 December 2023 at 21:15
Updated at Monday, 04 August 2025 at 11:08
Novak Djokovic doesn't consider Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer friends, but he would like to improve his relationship with both of them.
The story of Nadal and Federer is a familiar one. They started as rivals who grew to like each other and eventually became friends. They're not extremely close friends, but they're good enough to talk regularly, and it was the Spaniard who led Federer into retirement.
Neither has that relationship with Djokovic, who always seemed like the odd man out. He has a respectful relationship with both, but there is a palpable distance between them.
Federer's retirement showed that perfectly, as Nadal probably cried more than Federer did. Now, Djokovic opened up about his relationship with the duo in an upcoming episode of the CBS News 60 Minutes, admitting that he would like to build a better relationship with both in the future.
He has always been adamant about the impact both had on his career, so keeping in touch seems like a good idea.
"I would like to. I would really like to. Personally, I would like to. I mean, I know that obviously (laughs) we didn’t get along so well throughout our careers in, like, off court. And we are not friends because we’re rivals and it’s difficult as competitors to be very close and kind of share and give insights to you know, to your life or to how you feel because, you know, it could be used against you."
Djokovic is quite a character, but he's not the most difficult character. It's easy to find common ground with him, so he might improve his relationship with his former rivals once he retires. He still used the chance to praise their impact on his career because they made him who he is.
"But we have shared the stage for so many years. And I think the greatest respect is always there, at least from my side, towards them. So yeah, I hope that one day, when the curtains are slightly more closed, that we are, yeah, able to sit down and, and reflect. It would be, it would be amazing."
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