Tennis is one of the many sports blessed with several intriguing rivalries. From the likes of Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, fans have been fortunate to witness unforgettable moments on the tennis court. While these rivalries were surely enjoyed by the fans, the battles between Federer and Nadal also had a significant impact on the remaining member of the Big Three, Novak Djokovic.

After his Shanghai Masters run where he reached the final, Djokovic headed back home. During an interview with La Nacion there, he was asked to describe the rivalry between Federer and Nadal. While admitting that it was among the best in the world, Djokovic revealed how it changed his game.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion replied, “I see it as you describe it: as one of the greatest rivalries, without a doubt, of the whole sport, and I am very proud and I feel totally honored to be part of that group… They made me more hungry to win, especially the two of them. I knew that if I found a way to be like those guys in the big games, and I knew that a lot of that came from here (with the right index finger you touch your head), in a way I could decipher the shackle of the Grand Slams and start winning more. The rivalry with Federer and Nadal is one of the most incredible in the history of the whole sport, not just tennis.”

Interestingly, Federer and Nadal played each other an astonishing 40 times. The Spaniard dominated their rivalry, winning 24 of those matches. However, Federer managed to sneak out wins in several important matches like the Grand Slam finals. As a result, their rivalry was always looked forward to by the fans and fellow players. As Nadal made his retirement plans clear a few days ago, Djokovic got emotional and made a stirring confession.

Novak Djokovic on Rafael Nadal’s retirement: ‘It’s still a shock’

The 22-time Grand Slam champion took to social media to announce that he was retiring after the end of the 2024 season. Nadal will play in the Davis Cup Finals for Spain, which would be the last tournament of his professional career. While his retirement was nearing, Nadal made an abrupt announcement, which startled Djokovic.

The Serb said, “He has been my greatest rival and my rivalry with him has impacted me the most in my career by far. We knew that moment is coming sooner than later but it’s still a shock… I don’t know what to make of it. I still enjoy competing but part of me left with them. A big part of me. It’s tough news for the tennis world, the sports world. Rafa is an inspiration to millions of children around the world so he can be very proud of his career.”

With Nadal’s retirement, Djokovic would be the last man standing of the famed ‘Big 3’. However, the Serb is still hungry to win more titles and his retirement is nowhere near. But for how long? He is already 37 and even though he won an Olympic Gold this season, his form was up and down right through. Do you think the maestro can bounce back next season? Let us know in the comments below.