Rafael Nadal’s rivalries with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic were iconic and gripped tennis fans before the Spaniard’s retirement in 2024.
Collectively known as the ‘Big Three’, Nadal, Federer and Djokovic are all considered to be among the best players to have ever picked up a racket.
The trio dominated on the ATP Tour for two decades, winning an incredible combined total of 66 Grand Slam titles from 2003 to 2023 – 20 for Federer, 22 for Nadal and 24 for Djokovic.
Federer called time on his career in 2022 and Nadal joined him two years later, leaving Djokovic as the only active ‘Big Three’ superstar left in tennis.
Nadal was an absolute force at the French Open, winning a record total of 14 titles at Roland-Garros, which saw him dubbed ‘The King of Clay’.
Federer was better suited to grass and won eight Wimbledon titles, more than the other two, while Djokovic is considered as the best all-rounder with the Serbian going on to clinch the most major singles trophies.
Earlier this year, Nadal was asked to pick between Federer and Djokovic and name the toughest opponent of his career.
Nadal initially sat on the fence before deciding that Federer was his ‘greatest rival’ overall.
‘I would say Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer,’ Nadal told Mundo Deportivo when quizzed about his biggest rivals.
‘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.’
Speaking to AS, Nadal added: ‘Djokovic is the player I’ve faced the most, but for me, my greatest rival has been Federer.
‘When I first hit the circuit, Federer was already there. During my peak years, it was both Roger and Novak.
‘But in those formative early years, Roger was always present. With Roger, it’s clear – our contrasting styles and approach to the game made him my rival.
‘With Novak, it’s been an incredible challenge. He’s a player who has consistently performed at a high level and improved year-on-year.
‘The stats prove he’s the best, which means his tennis skills have been superior, and he’s also managed to stay injury-free the longest.’
Nadal and Federer locked horns 40 times, with the Spanish icon leading 24-16 overall in the head-to-head, including 14-10 in finals.
Djokovic and Nadal faced each other a total of 60 times, including in all four Grand Slams finals, with the Serb leading 31-29 in the head-to-head.
It is Djokovic who leads 15-13 in finals of all levels against Nadal, while the Spaniard leads 11-7 at the majors, including 5-4 in Grand Slam finals.