Rafael Nadal, one of the greatest tennis players in history, has been reflecting on his illustrious career and his rivalries ahead of his impending retirement following the Davis Cup Finals in November. The Spaniard opened up about his intense rivalry with his two fellow ‘Big 3’ members, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, while also commenting on the emerging duel between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
In an interview with Spanish outlet AS, Nadal expressed his thoughts on his biggest rival in the sport, saying, “Roger Federer has been my biggest rival throughout my career.” Despite Djokovic defeating Nadal in their last meeting at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh, the battles between Nadal and Federer from 2004 to 2019 were nothing short of legendary.
Nadal has confirmed that he will retire from tennis after the Davis Cup Finals, marking the end of an era in the sport. Reflecting on his rivalries, he described Djokovic as “the best,” but emphasized that Federer will always hold a special place in his career. “When I started playing, Federer was already at the top. In the peak years of my career, it was always Roger and Novak, but Federer was the one who had the biggest impact on me,” Nadal explained.
The Spanish tennis star acknowledged Federer’s consistency and longevity in the sport, attributing his success to his ability to maintain a high level and continually improve. “The numbers don’t lie – Federer’s tennis has been the best, and his durability has allowed him to sustain his performance levels longer than anyone else,” Nadal added.
Looking towards the future of tennis, Nadal believes that while Djokovic can still compete at a high level, upcoming talents like Sinner and Alcaraz have the potential to dominate the sport for years to come. “As players age, injuries and time catch up with everyone, so it’s natural to see new stars emerging,” Nadal remarked.
As Nadal prepares to bid farewell to professional tennis, he leaves behind a legacy of epic matches and fierce rivalries that have defined an era in the sport. Fans around the world will undoubtedly miss his tenacity, passion, and unwavering competitive spirit on the court.