The Spanish tennis ace Rafael Nadal has spoken about his toughest rivals in the sport. Nadal even called out Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic as his toughest opponents but the Spaniard heaped praise for just one.
Nadal hung up his boots from the sport during ATP tour in November 2024. Two years before that, Swiss legend Roger Federer had called it quits. The Big Three of the modern era in tennis is behind us and only Novak Djokovic is to be seen on the court but with 37-year-old and his lingering injury issues, it might look like the Serbian will call time on his illustrious career.
Who was Rafael Nadal's toughest opponent?
Fans from across the world have debated that out of the trio, who is the greatest and that debate is something which will surely run for years to come. But, at least Nadal has spoken out that between of Federer and Djokovic, who he hated facing the most.
I would say Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, Nadal admitted to Mundo Deportivo in February when asked about his most formidable opponents. It’s difficult to choose.
My career is linked to both of them; the three of us have pushed each other to be better. That is why we have been able to have such a long career.
He further elaborated that out of the duo, who he thinks of as his greatest opponent.
Djokovic is the player I’ve faced the most, but for me, my greatest rival has been Federer, Nadal told AS. When I arrived on the circuit, it was Federer who was there first. During the years when I was at my best in every sense, it was Roger and Novak. But in the early years, which shape you in a special way, Roger was always there.
With Roger, it’s clear - it was because of the sharp contrast in styles and the way we approached the game and the sport, he explained. With Novak, it’s been an incredible challenge. He’s a player who has maintained a very high level and improved every year.
The numbers show he’s the best, which means his tennis level has been the best, and he’s also managed to stay the furthest away from injuries.
Not just this, Nadal even choose who he thinks in today's time will become one of the greatest in the future. In the existing era of men's tennis, Nadal choose Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as the duo who will in future dominate the game.
They’re both above the rest, Nadal continued, speaking of Alcaraz and Sinner. I don’t see any rival who can consistently challenge them. On any given day, of course, there are many great players.
But in the medium term, there’s no one who can truly compete with them, provided they stay injury-free and continue performing at this level.
Rafael Nadal had 22 grand slams to his name and Roger Federer had 20, but Novak Djokovic has passed both of them as he has 24 grand slams. He is undoubtedly the best player the court has seen and only time will tell whether he extends his tally or not.