Andy Murray Explains What Made Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal Different from Roger Federer

Andy Murray, on former cricketer Kevin Pietersen’s The Switch YouTube channel, recalled the rivalry between him, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. The Brit revealed that he used to practice a lot with Federer at first, but the Swiss maestro stopped those sessions when he began to feel that Murray would become one of his close rivals.

Federer was the first member of the legendary Big 4 to call time on his career. He did so after playing a doubles match alongside Nadal at the 2022 Laver Cup.

Murray joined Federer on the retirement list after his 2024 Paris Olympics campaign, and in the same year at the Davis Cup, Nadal lost to Botic van de Zandschulp in the Spain versus Netherlands quarterfinal tie and ended his career. Djokovic is the only member of the quartet who is still competing on the tour.

When I was playing against those guys, Federer and Nadal, and Djokovic – my relationship was kind of different with all of them… No, I never had dinner with any of them whilst I was playing… When I first started on the tour, I practiced with Federer a lot, like initially, and then he didn’t want to practice with me anymore.

Andy Murray said

Murray met the 20-time Grand Slam champion 25 times and trailed 11-14. Three of Murray’s defeats came in Grand Slam finals (2008 US Open, 2010 Australian Open, and the 2012 Wimbledon).

Federer was like that; he never practiced with Nadal, never practiced with Djokovic. That’s what he did, whereas Djokovic and Nadal were different in that respect, and they wanted to practice with one another or practice with their nearest rivals because…yeah, it is a bit mad.

Andy Murray added

Murray, just about four months after his retirement, joined Djokovic’s team as his coach. But the partnership ended after six months. The three-time Grand Slam champion is now coaching compatriot Jack Draper.

Alexander Zverev joins Andre Agassi, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray after winning the French Open

Alexander Zverev beat Flavio Cobolli in five sets in the final of the French Open, finally becoming a Grand Slam champion after three unsuccessful attempts. And with this win, he has now won titles in every tour-level category (ATP 250, ATP 500, Masters 1000, Grand Slam, and the Olympic gold medal). This made him only the fourth man to achieve this milestone. Before him, Novak Djokovic, Andre Agassi, and Andy Murray did it.

When I first held the trophy in my hands. That was the moment I had been searching for and waiting for for years. To finally be able to touch it for the first time, that was the most wonderful thing. And then to give it to my father, my mother, and my brother, just as wonderful. That’s what makes it so special.

Alexander Zverev told BILD

After his win, he withdrew from the Stuttgart Open, where last year he lost the final to Taylor Fritz. Sascha has never won a title on grass, though he has played three finals. At Wimbledon, Zverev has made the fourth round thrice, but has never reached the quarterfinals. Last year, his run ended in the first round with a five-set defeat to Arthur Rinderknech.

World No.1 Jannik Sinner will enter the grass-court Major as the defending champion. Last year, he stopped Carlos Alcaraz from completing a hat-trick with a four-set win. Alcaraz, who won this title in 2023 and 2024 by defeating Djokovic, withdrew due to a wrist injury sustained at the Barcelona Open. The injury also forced him to pull out of the French Open.

Also read: Youngster Rafael Jodar Aims to Continue His Clay-Court Form at Wimbledon