Novak Djokovic has long been a central figure in tennis history, but his complex relationship with fellow legends Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal has always intrigued fans. Now, the 24-time Grand Slam champion is speaking candidly about how those relationships evolved—and why he felt a shift with Federer in particular.
In a recent interview with the YouTube channel (Ne)uspjeh Prvaka, Djokovic reflected on the early admiration he had for both Federer and Nadal. “I looked up to them,” he said. “Especially Federer, who is six years older than me. The moment I felt that coldness and distance from him, I said okay, no problem.”
Djokovic entered the elite ranks later than his rivals, only dominating the tennis world after his breakthrough 2011 season when he won three Grand Slams and held a stunning 10-1 record over both Federer and Nadal combined. Since then, he has surpassed both legends in major titles, Olympic success, and weeks as World No.1.
Despite the shared greatness, Djokovic acknowledged he was never embraced the same way by global fans. “I was never as loved as Federer and Nadal because I wasn’t supposed to be there,” he admitted. “I was the little guy, the third guy who came along and said, ‘I’m going to be number one.’ Many people didn’t like that.”
He even described himself as feeling like the “unwanted child” of the Big Three. “It hurt me. Then I thought the fans would accept me if I acted differently. But that wasn’t the case either.”
Though he’s often been portrayed as the more polarizing figure, Djokovic made it clear that there’s no bitterness on his end. “Just because someone is my biggest rival doesn’t mean I wish them harm. We fought for the win, and the better player won.”
Interestingly, he noted that his rapport with Nadal has always been a bit warmer. “I’ve always gotten along better with Nadal. But I’ve never said a bad word about either of them and never will.”
As Federer enjoys his retirement and Djokovic continues to extend his legacy, their shared history remains one of the richest chapters in tennis lore. But behind the iconic matches and record books, this glimpse into Djokovic’s emotional journey offers a deeper understanding of the man behind the racket.