Pep Guardiola Compares Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic with Premier League

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola compares Premier League with the dominance ‘Big 3’ – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in tennis. The Spanish football manager feels that top Premier League teams are pushing each other to higher levels in the same manner as the ‘Big 3’.

Guardiola recalled the 2009-10 season when his team – FC Barcelona claimed the title-holding 99 points. Barcelona finished with just three points more than Real Madrid that was led by Manuel Pellegrini.

“I remember perfectly that season, how tough it was. Madrid with Manuel played incredibly good,” said Guardiola. “It was so nice because we did those 99 points when the year before we won the treble with Barcelona.”

Premier League scenario similar to Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

The 48-year-old coach said the three legends of tennis are always pushing themselves to outdo each other and be better. Pep Guardiola noted that there is only a thin line separating Federer, Nadal and Djokovic when it comes to winning

“To maintain that level… we did 99 points with someone else pushing us. We knew that if we dropped points Madrid were going to win the title. It’s similar to Nadal, Federer and Djokovic, no? They push one to be better than the other one because they know,” Guardiola added.

We need athletes like the ‘Big 3’ in sport – Guardiola

Guardiola further explained that the Premier League at this moment is tough as top teams are playing almost at the same level. He explicated that the Manchester City players are aware of this, and are doing everything possible to improve their game.

“We need it in sport, as athletes. They (the players at Manchester City) know. I didn’t tell them, but they know how strong Liverpool is. They know that we can’t drop points because if we do Liverpool is going to win the league,” Guardiola noted.

He concluded: “I can say Liverpool or Chelsea and Tottenham are the same at this moment. Arsenal as well. To compete we need good opponents close and this season we have it, here and in Europe.” 

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic have for many years battled as the three legends of tennis. The three have dominated the tennis circuit for the past decade and a half – sharing 55 Grand Slam titles between them.