Big Three, the trio that dominated men’s singles for two decades, won 66 major tournaments between them. With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal having retired in recent years, Novak Djokovic is the last man standing. Facing each other 49 times across the Grand Slam tournaments, including in 23 finals, the ATP stars share a mutual respect for one another. Recently, Djokovic expressed his desire to spend quality time with tennis rivals turned friends.

Djokovic opened up about his feelings toward the biggest rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, expressing a deep desire to connect with them on a personal level. He spoke on their time together as tennis’s “Big Three,” working as the unofficial leadership trio for the sport. “We worked well together, big phone calls, big decisions,” Djokovic shared, highlighting their strong collaboration during crucial moments in tennis. However, he acknowledged that life has taken each of them on different paths, making such moments rare now.

Djokovic expressed his will to bond with Federer and Nadal beyond their rivalry. In a casual yet meaningful interaction, Novak said, “I do wish to have a drink or two with them and just open up and talk about the things that annoyed—annoyed everyone about me! Or vice versa, whatever it is. Let’s just put it all out there.” He also expressed the desire to hear their personal experiences of handling the immense pressures of being at the top. “I observed them as they did observe me. But it’s different when you hear it from the man himself,” the Serb added.

When asked about their current relationship, Djokovic shared insights. “I don’t see them much,” he admitted. He spoke about their legendary rivalry, calling it eternal. “It’s something that leaves a legacy on this sport. They’ve been an integral part of my success.” Highlighting their early lives, Novak said “I didn’t have the acceptance early on. I went out to win, and I don’t think they liked that.” He acknowledged the difficulty of forming friendships while competing fiercely at the top level.

Despite these challenges, Djokovic hopes for a day when the trio can sit together in a relaxed setting and talk about their journey. Smiling at the thought, he said, “I will definitely extend my invitation to both of these guys for some chilling, relaxing time, and reflection.”

Djokovic daydreamed about a serene moment, imagining a boat with a bottle of wine and the ‘Big 3’ looking back on their shared history. For Novak, such a moment would be more than just a reunion—it would be a symbol of the camaraderie and respect that goes beyond their rivalry.

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer Reflect on Djokovic’s GOAT Status

In a 2024 interview with AS, Rafael Nadal addressed the long-standing GOAT debate involving himself, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer. He decisively gave Djokovic the title, acknowledging his remarkable achievements. “The numbers say that Djokovic is the best ever,” Nadal said. He credited Djokovic’s ability to stay injury-free and be a consistent performer at the highest level. “It is not an excuse; thanks to this, he is the best and deserves this title.”

Nadal also shared his thoughts on Djokovic’s future. “Once Federer has retired and I am about to do so, he will have a small breakdown and decide to leave. If in good health, he can still be competitive and aim to win the biggest tournaments,” the Spaniard commented. Nadal praised Roger Federer as well, calling the Swiss maestro his greatest rival, despite facing Djokovic the most. “My rivalry with both of them was more intense than the one they had.”

Meanwhile, Federer, in a 2024 interview, admitted to initially underestimating Djokovic’s abilities. “I think I didn’t give Novak the respect he deserved. But then he ironed those things out and became an unbelievable monster of a player.” Federer now respects Djokovic even more for his growth and dominance.

Djokovic, the last active member of the Big Three, credited both rivals for shaping his career. “They’ve been an integral part of my success,” he told GQ. Highlighting their impact, Djokovic said, “The rivalries with them have toughened me up like nothing has done throughout my career.” With Federer having retired and Nadal stepping aside, Djokovic continues to cement his legacy as the GOAT.