Rafael Nadal Reveals Plans Against Novak Djokovic ‘Was More Unpredictable’ While Versus Roger Federer It Was ‘Clear’

Former World No.1s, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic have won a combined 66 Grand Slam titles.

Rafael Nadal Reveals Plans Against Novak Djokovic ‘Was More Unpredictable’ While Versus Roger Federer It Was ‘Clear’

Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal (Image via X/Danny)

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Rafael Nadal shared how he used to plan things out while meeting his former biggest rivals, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Nadal met Federer 40 times, winning on 24 occasions.

But against Djokovic, he held a 29-31 head-to-head record. During his interview with AS, the King of Clay was asked about any particular thing he used to plan while facing Djokovic and Federer.

With Federer, the plan was clear, especially at the beginning: pressure his backhand with high balls repeatedly, until he stood still, waiting for the next shot, and then I could switch to his forehand. It was a mental effort for me, because I often saw the shot going the other way, but I knew that repeating it on the backhand would tire him mentally. I didn’t always feel like using that tactic, but it was the most feasible.

Rafael Nadal said

The 22-time Grand Slam champion called time on his career at the 2024 Davis Cup after Spain lost their quarterfinal match against eventual runners-up Netherlands. Federer retired at the 2022 Laver Cup after playing doubles alongside Nadal.

With Novak, it was more unpredictable. On clay, it was a bit more unpredictable than on hard courts. On hard courts, in my later years, when my body couldn’t handle certain efforts anymore, it was much harder. To have a chance, I needed my body to respond, and it wasn’t. I had to shorten points, and beating Novak in two or three shots was very difficult.

Rafael Nadal added

Nadal’s last singles match on clay was against Djokovic in the 2024 Paris Olympics, where the Spaniard lost in the second round. But in his career’s last singles match, Botic van de Zandschulp beat him.

Djokovic, the last member of the legendary Big 3, is still chasing his 25th Grand Slam title. This year, he reached the semifinals of all four Majors, losing to Jannik Sinner at the French Open and Wimbledon, while at the US Open, he lost to Carlos Alcaraz. At the Australian Open, an injury forced him to give a walkover to Alexander Zverev.

Rafael Nadal on whether he would become a coach in the near future

Rafael Nadal has once again made it clear that he won’t be back on the tour as a coach, as not a long time has passed since his retirement. Carlos Alcaraz has recently parted ways with his coach of seven years, Juan Carlos Ferrero, but Nadal’s answer to AS clearly dismissed the speculations of Nadal possibly joining Alcaraz’s entourage as his coach.

Rafael Nadal Roland Garros 2025
Rafael Nadal (image via Corrine Dubreuil)

Traveling constantly? I don’t see it happening. Being a coach would require that, and right now it doesn’t fit with my life. Being a Davis Cup captain someday? Why not? I might enjoy it… or not. I just retired; it’s too early to think about it.

Last year, just about four months after his retirement, Andy Murray joined the coaching team of Novak Djokovic, surprising the whole tennis world. But as the partnership did not bring results, it ended after six months.

The Alcaraz-Ferrero collaboration ended because of failed contract negotiations. Ferrero disagreed with certain aspects of the contract, but he chose not to reveal every detail about what happened behind the scenes that ended one of the most successful coaching partnerships.

Alcaraz not only played against Nadal, but he also played alongside the tennis legend. In the 2024 Paris Olympics, Alcaraz and Nadal reached the quarterfinals. Alcaraz met Nadal thrice, winning just one match. Before retiring, Nadal reached his career’s last final at the Swedish Open, where Nuno Borges defeated him. The last title he lifted was at the 2022 French Open by defeating Casper Ruud.

Also read: Junior Tennis Player Shares Anecdote About Novak Djokovic’s ‘Aura’: “There Was Absolute Silence”