Rafael Nadal has explained he considers Roger Federer the “biggest rival” he has had in his career because the Swiss icon was there when he arrived on tour.
The great Spaniard declared that his first years at the top of tennis left “a special mark”, while he also described his rivalry with Novak Djokovic as an “incredible challenge.”
The rivalries between Nadal, Federer and Djokovic are believed by many to be some of the greatest in the history of tennis, or any sport.
Nadal amassed a 24-16 record from his 40 encounters with Federer, which were played across a 15-year period between 2004 and 2019. The ‘King of Clay’ won 10 of his 14 Grand Slam matches with the Swiss.
The Spaniard faced Djokovic a men’s Open Era record of 60 times — from 2006 to 2024 — with the Serbian holding a 31-29 edge. The duo contested 18 matches at majors, with Nadal winning 11.
In an interview with AS, Nadal — who is set to retire next month — discussed his rivalries with each of his ‘Big Three’ counterparts.
“Djokovic is the player I have faced the most, but for me, my biggest rival has been Federer. Because, when I arrived on the circuit, it was Federer who was there and he was the first,” said the 22-time Grand Slam winner.
“In the years when I was at my best in every sense of the word, it was Roger and Novak. But in the first years, which are the ones that leave a special mark on you, Roger was always there.
“I think, and I don’t know why, that my rivalry with the two of them has been more intense than the one they had between them. I don’t know exactly what the reason is, but I feel that the world perceives it that way. We would have to find the reason.
With Roger, I am clear that it is because it was a very sharp contrast in styles and ways of seeing and approaching the sport.
“And with Novak, of course, it has been an incredible challenge. In the end, he is a player who has managed to maintain a very high level of play and improve every year.
“The numbers say that he is the best, so his tennis level has also been the best and, in addition, he is the one who has managed to stay the furthest away from injuries.”
Federer called time on his career in 2022, while Nadal will play his final event at next month’s Davis Cup Finals knockout stage in Malaga.
