Rafael Nadal picks between Roger Federer and Novak | Sports News

Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer, collectively often known as the Big Three, long dominated tennis, holding the world No. 1 spot for years and amassing a complete of 66 Grand Slam titles.

Both Djokovic and Federer acknowledge Nadal as their most formidable rival, a participant they’ve spent twenty years striving to defeat. Now, Nadal has make clear the variations between dealing with his two biggest rivals and who he considers the “best”.

Throughout his profession, Nadal confronted Djokovic 60 occasions and Federer 40 occasions. He retired with a barely dropping 29-31 head-to-head document towards Djokovic, together with a loss of their final official assembly on the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Against Federer, Nadal held a successful 24-16 document. However, from 2017 onwards, Nadal misplaced six of their final seven matches.

The rivalry between Nadal and Federer captivated followers resulting from their contrasting enjoying kinds – Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam champion, is thought for his energy and depth, whereas Federer is widely known for his magnificence and strategic method to every level.

Djokovic, along with his defensive prowess and strong baseline sport, proved a difficult opponent for Nadal on laborious courts. Nadal has now provided a distinctive perspective on what it was prefer to face each multi-Grand Slam champions, confessing that he needed to keep relentless strain when enjoying towards Djokovic.

During his latest chat on Andy Roddick’s Served podcast, the tennis legend mirrored on his distinct methods towards prime rivals. “I think it had been a completely different approach to the matches,” he mused.

When dealing with Novak Djokovic, the strategy was much less clear-cut for the retired champion. “I think against Novak, it was a little bit about, we can have a strategy, but at the end it’s about, I need to play very well. I need to play very well all the time. And we don’t play the same style, of course, but it’s not a clear strategy.”

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He contrasted this along with his techniques towards Roger Federer: “Against Roger, I will damage him against his backhand. Against Novak, I don’t have that feeling. The feeling is I need to play very well for a long time and know that I have to adjust things.”

The 14-time French Open victor elaborated on how he modified his sport when up towards Djokovic. “I can’t play too many times against his backhand, especially high balls, because then he takes the ball quicker and puts you in a very difficult position. So I started to use the slide more against him, sometimes it worked well.

“And typically towards Novak it was good to play to the center, to not give him a lot of angles. I believe with Novak, if you had been in a position to open him, in the event you do not actually create a lot of harm, he was in a position to open you more.”

Nadal acknowledged Djokovic’s unparalleled talent in one area. “In phrases of ball control, I believe he is the best I ever performed and I ever noticed,” the 38 year old admitted.

Despite Djokovic’s prowess, Nadal conceded there were times when Federer was simply unstoppable.

“For me, actually, 2017, for a whereas, was the best stage of his profession. In phrases of creating, you felt that you simply had been in his arms, of course on laborious [courts],” he asserted.

It’s not surprising that Nadal had a powerful time towards Federer in 2017. The champion of 20 Majors triumphed in all 4 matches they performed that season – together with three straight-set victories at Masters 1000 occasions.