Doubles Legend Compares Novak Djokovic to Soccer Great Cristiano Ronaldo

When we talk about Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, a whirlpool of memories flood our eyes. Sheer dominance, determination, and deliverance are the first ones to come to mind. Having three handedly ruled at the Grand Slams – 57 out of 69 – the Big Three are truly synonymous with an entire era of tennis.

Recently, Leander Paes, in a conversation with India Ahead News, shared his views on Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, and explained why they are heads and shoulders above their competition.

“Djokovic really didn’t recover from the match against Tsitsipas”

In terms of focus, hard work, and consistent growth, Big Three has hardly been short on any. On that, the Davis Cup champion and undoubtedly one of the finest doubles players in the world sheds some light. He says, “I have tremendous respect for the top three players in tennis in the world.”

Ever since Big Three has entered the arena, they seem to have it all. But what does it take to make it that far? And how far have they reached?

Paes adds, “When Federer has 20 grand slams wins and suddenly Nadal comes around and equals that. The next conversation is if he going to better that at next year’s French Open. And it’s pretty hard to see actually whether anybody else can beat Rafa Nadal on clay at the moment. He’s so invincible, winning 13 French Open titles at Roland Garros.”

Novak Djokovic is the younger and more resolute of the three. While some may say he’s had an unfortunate year in tennis, he still is the World No. 1.

“You look at a younger Novak Djokovic what an unusual year he’s had in 2020. With the exhibition matches back at home where he did get clearance to play and unfortunately, some of the players contracted COVID and then overcoming that and then to get to the US Open with what happened there and then to get to the French Open and then to play such a tough fifth set match against (Stefanos) Tsitsipas which he really didn’t recover for in the final but yet he’s at number one in the world,” remarks Leander Paes.

“Cristiano Ronaldo and Novak Djokovic invest in themselves the most”

The world of sport is certainly evolving. And, to be World’s No. 1 in your sport, you have to train in that regard. That is what makes the success of Big Three so special. They have been purposeful in their art for close to 2 decades, not to forget the countless sacrifices, surgeries, and hard defeats.

Paes describes, “On the planet, today, CR7 and Novak Djokovic are the two athletes who invest in themselves the most whether it comes to entourages of different expertise that travel with them when it comes to modern technology that enhances sporting progress, to enhance themselves when it comes to checking out their own DNA where we found Novak is gluten intolerant and then now he makes sure his diet is completely gluten-free and he’s a vegan and hence the results come about.”

“Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer are just paving the way forward for us”

No one can undeniably differentiate the Big Three as one better than the other. Therefore, it becomes a silver lining that you simply have to appreciate them as the best. “I think the body and the mind are two amazing vehicles to keep pushing the boundaries of the human spirit, and the human body and the human mind and I think that these stalwarts in Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer are just paving the way forward from us, rather for us apart from other athletes on the planet.” submits the Indian professional.

You can watch the entire conversation here: