PSG Boss Luis Enrique Uses Rafael Nadal’s Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer Quote to Inspire His Players Ahead of Bayern Clash

Paris Saint-Germain will face Bayern Munich in the semifinals of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday (May 6). At the press conference before the match, PSG manager Luis Enrique urged his team to seek inspiration from the iconic rivalry between Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.

Federer and Nadal hung up their rackets at the 2022 Laver Cup and the 2024 Davis Cup, respectively. Djokovic is the only member of the legendary trio who has yet to call time on his career. The Big 3 have won a combined 66 Major titles. Enrique used Nadal’s quote to motivate Marquinhos and Co. before their match against Manuel Neuer and his team.

When I watch these kinds of games, I remember a quote from Rafa Nadal, who said that his rivalry with Federer and Djokovic motivated him. I tell my players we admire Bayern because they play very good football, but that admiration is also motivation to find our best level. 

Luis Enrique said

Munich holds a 9-7 head-to-head edge over the defending champions, and also won their last two meetings. Arsenal is leading the table, having won their eight matches and reached the final for the first time in 20 years.

Patrick Mouratoglou says Jannik Sinner is better than Novak Djokovic on clay

Novak Djokovic is competing in the ongoing Italian Open, playing his first tournament since the Indian Wells Masters, where Jack Draper ended his run in the fourth round. Serb will be chasing his sixth title in the tournament.

He skipped the tournament last year and instead played the Geneva Open (beat Hubert Hurkacz in the final). It was also the first time he withdrew from the event since making his debut back in 2007. If he reaches the final, he could schedule his match against Jannik Sinner, whom he defeated in the semifinals of this year’s Australian Open.

Ahead of the tournament, Serena Williams‘ former coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, called Sinner the favorite to win the tournament in Carlos Alcaraz‘s absence. Alcaraz, the reigning champion, won’t be competing due to a wrist injury.

Jannik has so much margin on any surface, except against Carlos, but Carlos is out. It is not about his game style; it is about his dominance, which is unmatched.

Patrick Mouratoglou said

Sinner will be aiming to win a record sixth consecutive Masters 1000 title after wins at the 2025 Paris Masters and this year’s Indian Wells, Miami Open, Monte-Carlo Masters, and the Madrid Open. He beat Alcaraz in Monte Carlo and easily beat Alexander Zverev in the Spanish capital, winning his third clay-court title. Mouratoglou thinks Sinner plays better on clay than the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

If you look at the two years when Novak Djokovic had a similar kind of dominance, 2011 and 2015, in both cases, Novak did not win Roland Garros… But there is a big difference. I think that Jannik’s game for clay is better than Novak’s game for clay. Jannik plays with much more margin over the net. I think the quality of his ball is different, which is so important on clay. That gives him even a slight advantage.

Patrick Mouratoglou added

The last Big Title that Djokovic lifted was the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal by beating Alcaraz. Sinner just needs four match wins in Rome to surpass Djokovic’s record of 31-match winning streak in Masters 1000s.

Sinner’s wins in Indian Wells and Miami made him the eighth man to complete the Sunshine Double. The four-time Grand Slam champion also became the second man, after Nole, to win the first three Masters 1000s of the season.

Also read: Eugenie Bouchard Nearly Missed Flight Due to ‘Dangerous’ Montreal Airport Situation