Novak Djokovic weighs in between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, reveals who truly dominated

Novak Djokovic has once again opened up about his legendary rivalry with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal—two names that, along with his own, have shaped the golden era of men’s tennis. In a candid conversation on the Neuspjeh prvaka YouTube channel, the 24-time Grand Slam champion didn’t hold back as he assessed the strengths of his fellow “Big Three” icons, ultimately revealing who he believes was the most dominant on the court.

Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal: Novak Djokovic’s honest verdict

Djokovic, who boasts a staggering 24 major titles—two more than Nadal and four more than Federer—spoke with deep admiration and analysis of both legends. He acknowledged the contrasting styles that made each of them unique and exceptionally hard to beat.

“When we compare me, Federer and Nadal, Federer is the most talented one,” Djokovic admitted. “The most beautiful to watch when playing, he used his energy most efficiently. He moved lightly, so elegantly and so efficiently.”

Yet when it came to raw physicality and endurance, Novak Djokovic had no hesitation in placing Rafael Nadal at the other end of the spectrum. “Nadal is the opposite extreme. He dominated physically,” he said, adding that his own style leaned more toward the Spaniard's intense baseline game.

Djokovic’s place in the trio

Although he humbly placed himself between the two, Djokovic subtly leaned into his identity as a blend of grace and grit—acknowledging how each rivalry shaped his game and mindset.

“More sliding, more running, baseline-focused play and so on. Each of us had our own characteristics, and over time, as our rivalries developed, they evolved and strengthened,” Novak Djokovic reflected.

But perhaps the most telling insight was his acknowledgment of how deeply these rivalries impacted his career, particularly after 2011—the year he truly cemented his dominance in the sport.

“I say without hesitation that my rivalry with those two had the biggest influence on my development, especially in the second part of my career from 2011 onwards,” he said.

With Roger Federer now retired and Rafael Nadal nearing the twilight of his career, Novak Djokovic stands as the last of the Big Three still competing at the highest level—holding both statistical superiority and a deep respect for those who pushed him to become the player he is today.