Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola expresses admiration for Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic for their never-give-up ‘mentality’

Pep Guardiola stated that he admires the trio of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer and tries to learn a lot from them.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola expresses admiration for Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic for their never-give-up ‘mentality’

Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Pep Guardiola, Roger Federer (Images via X, Eurosport)

Rafael Nadal will call time on his career after featuring in the Davis Cup, scheduled in November in Malaga. He will be the second member of the Big 3 to retire, as Roger Federer bade his farewell in 2022. 

After Nadal’s retirement, the tennis world will still enjoy Novak Djokovic‘s matches as he has often brushed aside retirement rumors and has planned to play for a few more years with his pick-and-choose strategy.

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Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola, who is an admirer of Nadal, lauded the Big 3 for their resilience and their impact on tennis. 

I admire the consistency of the Big 3 every single season being there and never giving up, coming back from the setbacks. I admire all of them, so for me, they are three geniuses.

Pep Guardiola said on Sky Sports’ One-on-One series podcast

 
The Big 3 have been a part of many thrilling matches, against each other and other players. While Federer retired with 20 Grand Slam titles, Nadal will retire 22 of them.

As no current player will be challenging Djokovic’s 24 Grand Slam titles record at least in the next few years, he will continue to stand on top of the list of players with the most Major titles in men’s tennis. Guardiola praised the legendary trio for their winning mentality and their ability to deal with bad moments. 

I tried to learn a lot from their body language, how they behave in the bad moments, how strong they are mentally, and of course talent and skill. I think all three will be missed – but still Novak Djokovic can enjoy it – but the three will be missed.

Pep Guardiola added

Rafael Nadal took away positive vibes from Casper Ruud 

Casper Ruud was optimistic before he walked onto the court to face Rafael Nadal in the final of the 2022 French Open. Nadal was struggling with his foot injury and Ruud wasn’t nervous and wasn’t feeling any pressure about facing the then 13-time French Open champion, but he was wrong. 

Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud
Rafael Nadal and Casper Ruud (Via Imago)

However, he broke me in my first service game and took those positive vibes away from me. 

Casper Ruud said on the Nothing Major podcast 

Nadal won that match 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 to lift his 14th French Open, which was also his 22nd Grand Slam trophy. Ruud met Nadal in the Round Robin stage of the 2022 ATP Finals as well and there too he was defeated in straight sets. The Norwegian, in that same podcast, also admitted how he cannot understand what motivated the Big 3 to play until the end.