This is the reason behind why Roger Federer STOPPED practicing with his biggest rivals, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
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Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic (Image via Instagram)
Roger Federer is arguably one of the greatest tennis players of all time, but this is not a title he holds alone. There has been much debate and discussion over the ‘GOAT’ question involving the entire Big 3 – Federer as well as Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. The Swiss, for many years, was ahead of the two on most records including the Grand Slam count.
He was also the first to make it to 20 major titles. However, age and injury slowed him down, and eventually, Rafa and Nole overtook him, now with 22 and 21 slams each.
The solid professional rivalry aside, the trio have always shown tremendous respect for each other – both on and off the court. Their camaraderie is one for the books, they’ve often been seen spending time beyond professional matches. But recently, Roger Federer spoke candidly about how he chose to limit his practice session times with his two biggest rivals specifically.
Recently, Roger Federer appeared as a guest on the popular Tonight’s Show hosted by Trevor Noah. The anchor, who had played Roger in an exhibition match, had lots of questions for the retired legend. When asked about the bond between the big 3 and the emotional farewell that followed his last professional match, Roger revealed how they are all extremely close, hang out behind the scenes, and practice together as well. Then he went on to cheekily reveal that he stopped practicing with Nadal and Djokovic as opposed to other players because he didn’t want his two biggest rivals to know his secrets!
“I mean, maybe just a little anecdote, because maybe people don’t know, but we share the same locker room, we share the same restaurants. We usually get put in the same hotels. So we see each other all the time. And we even practice together” Roger was explaining when Noah interjected that he was shocked when he found out that the biggest rivals in a sports practice together, comparing it to Kung Fu movies where one wouldn’t want their rivals to know their secrets.
Roger laughingly replied “But that’s why I ended up not practicing very much with Novak and Rafa anymore. Not so much with those guys.”
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic- The Big-3 iconic rivalry
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic – the Big 3 of men’s tennis took tennis to never-imagined heights. And their overlapping careers turned them into fierce on-court rivals, each vying for the same prize. Between them, the trio has amassed 63 Grand Slam singles titles.
Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have faced each other 40 times on the court. Nadal leads the head-to-head at 24-16 (14-10 in finals). Together, they won 11 consecutive majors – from the 2005 French Open to the 2007 US Open; as well as six consecutive majors on two other occasions.
Federer and Djokovic faced each other 50 times, with Djokovic leading the head-to-head record at 27-23.17 of the matches were across Grand Slams with Djokovic leading 11-6. Federer is the only player to defeat Djokovic at all four majors, and Djokovic is the only player to defeat Federer at each one.
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