Nadal Reflects On How He, Djokovic, & Federer 'Pushed Each Other To Be Better'
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Rafael Nadal's retirement from tennis at last year's Davis Cup Finals has given him space to reflect on his rivalries with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
While all tennis legends throughout the decades should be respected, Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer are broadly considered to be the three greatest players ever because of the trophies they won and how they raised the sport's level.
Nadal had numerous incredible matches against both men. His 2008 Wimbledon final with Federer, with the Spaniard won in five sets to secure a maiden title at SW19, is considered by many to be the best match ever.
The 14-time French Open champion's 2012 Australian Open final with Djokovic, the longest Grand Slam final ever, is another contender for the greatest match ever played. Djokovic prevailed after a brutal battle.
Federer and Djokovic's incredible rivalries with Nadal made many fans disappointed that neither man was in the stadium for Nadal's final day as a tennis player at the Davis Cup Finals. Djokovic later said they were set to attend the semifinal, but Team Spain got knocked out in the quarterfinal.
However, that does not seem to have left Nadal feeling bitter. In an appearance at Mundo Deportivo's Gran Gala, Nadal said those two made things hardest for him, and they all pushed each other to greater heights.
"I would say Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer; it's difficult to choose. My career is linked to both of them, the three of us have pushed each other to be better. It's true that we've taken things from each other, but it's fair to say that one of us, without the other two, wouldn't have reached the numbers that the three of us have achieved."
Although the three men's rivalries were pivotal for the sport, Nadal admitted they took a significant toll on them physically. The 38-year-old's repeated injury issues in the last few years prove this.
Federer never fully recovered from the knee injury that ended his career. Because of its severity, the Swiss maestro continues to deal with knee pain in his daily life.
While Djokovic is still playing, his injury issues have also increased in the last 12 months. The Serbian retired from his 2025 Australian Open semifinal with Alexander Zverev because he could not cope with the pain caused by tearing a muscle in his left hamstring.
Nadal acknowledged the physical pain they have all experienced but said their rivalries with one another took them to another technical and mental level that helped the trio enjoy long careers on the ATP Tour.
"In some ways we have pushed ourselves to the limit in every sense. Physically this has harmed us quite a bit, but on a tennis and mental level it has taken us to the next level of demand and that is why we have been able to have such a long career."
Tennis is in a healthy position and there are superb rivalries on the ATP and WTA Tours. However, Nadal and Federer are missed a lot. Djokovic admitted that part of him had already left the sport with them and Andy Murray.
