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A big rivalry…’: Novak Djokovic downplays Roger Federer retirement with epic Rafael Nadal comment

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Novak-Roger-Rafael

Federer retired from the sport in September, marking an end of an era. But Djokovic has once reminded fans that while Big Three era is done, there is still the rivalry between him and Nadal.

The era of the Big Three is considered the greatest ever period in men’s tennis with the trio of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, winning over 60 of the last 72 Grand Slam events played. Federer however retired from the sport in September, marking an end of an era. But Djokovic has once reminded fans that while Big Three era is done, there is still the rivalry between him and Nadal.

Federer drew curtains on his illustrious 24-year-long career at the Laver Cup in London. It was his first tennis event after 14-month hiatus owing to knee injury. Nadal and Djokovic were both part of the event and the Spaniard had played his a doubles alongside the Swiss in Federer’s last match.

The retirement led to many believing that it was the start of the end of the Big Three era amid the rise of young guns like Carlos Alcaraz, who claimed a US Open title win that same month. But Djokovic shut the claims with an epic statement on Nadal.

“I live in a very special moment of tennis history, maybe the greatest, and I feel incredibly honoured to be in a situation to write the history of our sport,” the 21-time Grand Slam champion told the RMC podcast.

When asked about the significance of Federer’s retirement, Djokovic said that “a big rivalry was still running” between him and Nadal. “The moment hasn’t come, either for him or for me,” he added.

No two players in ATP history, in Open Era, has faced each other more number of times than Nadal and Djokovic. Their last meeting was in French Open quarterfinal where the Spaniard had won in four sets to avenge his 2021 defeat to the Serb in Roland Garros.

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Djokovic shares encouraging signs about his Australian Open status

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Novak Djokovic

Earlier this year, the Serbian was denied entry into Australia due to his vaccination status. He was eventually deported from the country and was subsequently banned from the entering the country for the next three years. He also missed the US Open due to his stance on taking the Covid-19 vaccine.

However, after months of speculation, the Serb reported receiving positive signs about his participation in the 2023 Australian Open. He is highly hopeful that, despite being subject to a three-year visa ban, he will be permitted to enter Australia and participate in the Australian Open in January. The nine-time Open champion continued by saying that he should learn about his status within the next few weeks. Fans of the legendary Serbian are eagerly waiting for more updates about this ongoing issue.

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Novak Djokovic Desires to Have a ‘Roger Federer-Like’ ….

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Novak-Roger

‘One of the Biggest Wishes’ – Novak Djokovic Desires to Have a ‘Roger Federer-Like’ Farewell Once He Hangs Up His Boots

In an exclusive interview, the 21-time Grand Slam winner, Novak Djokovic, revealed the ideal manner in which he wants to retire from tennis. The Nole claimed that the time to retire hadn’t arrived for him or his on-court rival, Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic felt honored to be a part of Roger Federer’s farewell at this year Laver Cup. Djokovic joined his fellow rival, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, to give an unforgettable farewell to the Swiss Maestro. Now, he wished for a similar farewell when he decides to step away from the sport.

Novak Djokovic wants a farewell just like that of Roger Federer’s
Although Djokovic isn’t planning to retire anytime soon, he wants a farewell surrounded by friends and rival, just like the one enjoyed by Roger Federer at the 2022 Laver Cup. Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were present on the court when Federer’s 24-year-long career came to an end.

The Swiss Maestro had taken a 14-month break before returning for his final match. He teamed up with his biggest rival, Rafael Nadal, to play doubles, before sitting on Team Europe’s bench to support the other members of the squad, including the Serb.

On social media, pictures of Federer, Djokovic and Nadal crying while watching the Laver Cup went viral. The retirement of Roger Federer appears to have served as an inspiration for the Serbian. He now wants to enjoy a similar experience at his retirement match.

“His footprint, his legacy, his mark that he left behind is going to live forever…he has not only achieved so much on the court but he has inspired so many young players to take a racquet in their hand.”

– @DjokerNole on his friend and rival @rogerfederer pic.twitter.com/Fa96fwJJ9f

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) November 3, 2022

In an interview with the Tennis Channel, he said, “I was very honored to be there (2022 Laver Cup ) and um, we were all emotional of course. Because I think you know the intensity of the rivalries is so high that you don’t have….time to reflect on maybe some larger things..”

The Nole further added, “But uh one thing is for sure I would love to have the greatest Rivals that I had particularly Roger, Rafa, and Andy there, you know, whenever that happens. I would love to have them there. That’s one of the biggest wishes.”

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Novak Djokovic indulged with ‘perfection’ comment during Roger Federer comparison

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Roger-Novak

NOVAK DJOKOVIC has surpassed Roger Federer’s Grand Slam total, and he is now chasing down his career titles haul.

Novak Djokovic has been backed in the debate over the greatest tennis player of all time after a former opponent said the Serbian was the closest he’s seen to ‘perfection’. In September, Roger Federer bowed out of the sport in emotional scenes at the Laver Cup, with many pundits and fans dubbing him the best to have ever picked up a racquet.

However, in 2022 the Swiss maestro’s previous record total of 20 Grand Slam titles has been surpassed by both Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. It was the Spaniard who won the first two major titles on the year, capturing the Australian and French Open before injury at Wimbledon scuppered his hopes of a calendar Slam.

That moved him clear on 22, with Djokovic notching his 21st at SW19. However, having already missed the tournament down under over his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid, the 35-year-old also missed out on the season-ending US Open for the same reason.

He is also closing in on Federer’s total of 103 career titles, having won 90 himself with years left ahead of him still. And now Slovenian player Aljaz Bedene, who last year reached the third round at Wimbledon, has backed Djokovic to surpass all records before he retires.

“If we analyse the results and the statistics, the GOAT is without a doubt Novak Djokovic,” he told Sport Klub. “I am convinced that the Serb will end up with the most Slams once all three have retired. He will also hold the Masters 1000 record and could break Jimmy Connors’ record for titles.

Bedene also brought Nadal into the debate, with the 33-year-old having taken on all three of the iconic players during his professional career: “I have faced all three many times and Djokovic is the closest to perfection,” he added.

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Roger Federer: ‘I beat Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

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Roger-Rafael-Novak

Roger Federer: ‘I beat Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic – great year’

The 20-time Major winner Roger Federer turned 38 in August 2019 and was still the third-strongest link on the Tour behind Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Despite his age, Federer was a contender for big titles in 2019, securing four crowns and standing a point away from a Major trophy at Wimbledon.

Roger was eager to keep that pace in 2020 and fight for more Major titles, which never happened following his knee issues. The Swiss kicked off 2019 with the Hopman Cup crown alongside Belinda Bencic before experiencing an early Australian Open loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Federer bounced back with titles in Dubai and Miami and the Indian Wells final, feeling well on the court and embracing the clay swing for the first time in three years.

Roger Federer had a great run in 2019 and finished in the top-3 for the last time.
Roger reached the Roland Garros semi-final for the first time in years, facing his old rival Rafael Nadal and suffering a straight-sets loss.

The 20-time Major winner Roger Federer turned 38 in August 2019 and was still the third-strongest link on the Tour behind Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Despite his age, Federer was a contender for big titles in 2019, securing four crowns and standing a point away from a Major trophy at Wimbledon.

Roger was eager to keep that pace in 2020 and fight for more Major titles, which never happened following his knee issues. The Swiss kicked off 2019 with the Hopman Cup crown alongside Belinda Bencic before experiencing an early Australian Open loss to Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Federer bounced back with titles in Dubai and Miami and the Indian Wells final, feeling well on the court and embracing the clay swing for the first time in three years.

Roger Federer had a great run in 2019 and finished in the top-3 for the last time.
Roger reached the Roland Garros semi-final for the first time in years, facing his old rival Rafael Nadal and suffering a straight-sets loss.

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Positive signs my entry ban will be waived before … — Novak Djokovic

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Novak Djokovic

Positive signs my entry ban will be waived before Australian Open

Nine-times champion Novak Djokovic says there are “positive signs” that his three-year ban on entering Australia will be waived so he can play at the next Australian Open in January.

The 35-year-old Serbian was deported from Australia in the lead-up to the Grand Slam tournament this year on the grounds that his opposition to COVID-19 vaccination threatened the country’s stability.

The former world number one said he was hoping to hear soon whether his bid to have his three-year visa ban set aside by the government had been successful.

“When it comes to Australia, there are some positive signs, but unofficially,” he said.

“We are communicating through my lawyers in Australia. In fact, they are communicating with the authorities in charge of my case.

“I hope to have an answer in the next few weeks — whatever that answer might be. But of course I am hoping for a positive one — so that I have enough time to prepare for the start of the season, if that start is going to happen in Australia.”

Australia’s Home Affairs ministry has repeatedly reiterated its policy of not commenting on individual cases.

Djokovic remains unvaccinated but Australia scrapped a rule that required international travellers to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status in July.

Opposition lawmaker and former Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews said earlier this month that to waive Djokovic’s ban would be a “slap in the face” for Australians who did get vaccinated.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said earlier this month that Djokovic would be welcome in January if he could get a visa.

He had however added that Tennis Australia was unable to lobby on his behalf.

Djokovic, now ranked seventh in the world, confirmed that he would finish his season at the Paris Masters and ATP Finals in Turin.

The Serbian added however that would love to kick off his 2023 campaign in Australia.

“I really want to go there, I am over what happened this year and I just want to play tennis. It is what I do best,” the 21-times Grand Slam winner said.

“Australia has always been the place where I have played my best tennis, the results speak for themselves. So, I am always extra motivated to go there. This time even more, so.

“I am hoping for a positive answer.”

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Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer GOAT verdict given as…

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Roger-Novak

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer GOAT verdict given as fans told to ‘open their eyes’
Aljaz Bedene had his say on the legacy Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic would leave behind.

Aljaz Bedene has had his say on the GOAT battle between Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer after hanging up his racket. The former world No 43 faced all the members of the Big Three during his career and told fans that they needed to “open their eyes” when considering who would retire with all the records.

Federer, Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have been at the centre of the GOAT debate in men’s tennis for more than a decade, with different arguments used to back each player as the undisputed greatest. But one pro who faced all three has now had his say, and claimed that the Serb would be the one to hold all the records though Federer’s influence would remain greater.

Bedene recently ended his career during the Davis Cup, joining Federer in retirement after the 41-year-old had one last dance during the Laver Cup with his biggest rivals by his side. As he looked back on his career, the Slovenian also reflected on the GOAT debate and claimed that it was Djokovic who had been the most difficult opponent.

“You have to open your eyes,” he told SportKlub, discussing the GOAT debate. “Roger Federer had the greatest influence that is remembered in the world of tennis. If we talk about the best in terms of results, it will definitely be Novak Djokovic.”

While Bedene thought Federer had a bigger impact on the sport, he was firmly backing the world No 7 to go on to break all the records with Djokovic already holding the most weeks at No 1 and the most Masters titles in ATP history. He continued: “I am of the opinion that the Serbian will be the player with the most Grand Slam titles once all three have retired, also from Masters 1000, even in number of tournaments.

“I have played against all three many times and Novak has the most difficult ball to tackle, he is perfect.” Bedene has a 4-0 losing record against the 21-time Grand Slam champion, with their most recent clash coming at the French Open this year.

He played Federer twice in 2018 and lost both matches, and also has a 2-0 losing record against Nadal. The 33-year-old did confess that he started to believe he could beat the likes of the Big Three and Andy Murray after a successful training block before the pandemic before tennis stopped for several months, leaving Bedene doubting whether he could reach the heights of the top 20 and 30.

“In the second half of the 2019 season, I won Portoroz, played the third round of Flushing with Zverev and lost in four sets, two of which were tiebreaks,” he said. “I was in the quarter-finals in Vienna, player Tsonga for the title in Metz, then the following year in February I beat Tsitsipas and lost to Auger-Aliassime in the quarter-finals. If I played a good spring, I could have been close to the top 20, but then we found out at Indian Wells that the tournaments were cancelled.”

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How Rafael Nadal can destroy a Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer’s record…

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Rafael-Roger-Novak

Rafael Nadal's 2022 was nothing short of extraordinary. The Spanish champion rose to the headlines for returning after an injury and immediately winning in Australia, with one of the greatest Comebacks of his career. In 2022 Nadal won the Australian Open and Roland Garros and in Paris he took a great revenge against his long-time rival Novak Djokovic, who was defeated first in the final and passed in the Grand Slam race.

Rafa took advantage of the problems of the Balkan tennis player for his choice not to carry out the vaccine for Covid 19 and overcame him in the Grand Slam race (and also the GOAT race). Currently Nadal is the tennis player with the most Grand Slam titles ever, or 22, ahead of Novak Djokovic's 21 to Roger Federer's 20.

These three players have made the history of this sport and, year after year, have achieved several incredible records. Not just tennis for Rafael Nadal, who, in this 2022, a few weeks ago, has finally become a father. A few days ago the Majorcan tennis player greeted his followers with the first message after the fatherhood: "Hello everyone.

After a few days and many loving messages I just wanted to thank you all. We are very happy and we are all fine. A hug."

Rafael Nadal, new record for the ranking
During his career, at least compared to his two great rivals, Rafael Nadal has rarely kept the first place in the ranking, often the prerogative of Roger first and then Nole.

Nadal was close to first place this year, but faded (for now) by a few points with number one becoming Spanish baby prodigy Carlos Alcaraz. On Monday Rafael Nadal reached 672 weeks in his career in the Top 3, reaching Novak Djokovic in second place.

At the top of this ranking is Roger Federer, with 750 weeks in the Top 3 of the world circuit. Yet another record that sees the Big Three as protagonists in absolute domination.

Here is the ranking of tennis players with the most weeks in the world Top 3:
Roger Federer 750 weeks
Novak Djokovic 672 weeks
Rafael Nadal 672 weeks
592 Jimmy Connors
499 Ivan Lendl

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Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic to battle for biggest prize money in tennis history

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Novak-Rafael

Nadal, Djokovic and co to battle for biggest prize money in tennis history at ATP Finals
The likes of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic can pocket the biggest prize money cheque in tennis history at the upcoming ATP Finals.

The ATP Finals has confirmed a record-breaking prize pot for the season-ending championships this year. Five players have already qualified for the prestigious tournament including Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, and they will now be battling it out for the biggest winner’s cheque in tennis history as well as 1,500 ranking points and the trophy.

The winner of the ATP Finals is set to receive the biggest monetary prize in the history of tennis after the tournament announced the money on offer for each win at the year-end tournament. If a player wins the tournament without losing a match across the week they will pocket £4,230,030 ($4,740,300) – smashing the record amount of £3.9m ($4.2m) prize money Ash Barty received for winning the 2019 WTA Finals Shenzhen with one round robin loss during the week.

An undefeated doubles pairing will also receive a record winner’s cheque of £830,159 ($930,300). The total prize purse on offer at this year’s top-eight tournament in Turin is also a record at £13.16m ($14.75m), with even the alternates who don’t play a match in the singles taking home £134,000 ($150,000)

It comes after the 2019 edition of the WTA Finals broke the record for biggest total prize pot of £12.5m ($14m). That year, an undefeated champion would have taken home £4,216,377 ($4,725,000) but Barty received less for losing one of her matches during the round robin stage in the week.

She defeated Elina Svitolina in the final who went 3-0 in her round robin matches and would have won the maximum prize had she beaten Barty for the title, but the Aussie’s winner cheque still managed to break the record. Nadal, Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Casper Ruud and Stefanos Tsitsipas are currently in the running to receive the record prize money as the first five men to qualify for the tournament.

The eight players who have earned the most points in 2022 qualify for the season-ending championships, but this year Djokovic has qualified despite currently being 10th in the race as the ATP has a rule allowing a Grand Slam champion from that season to receive a spot in the tournament if they come in the top 20 of the race.

Alexander Zverev is the defending champion but looks unlikely to qualify or compete as he has not played since getting injured during his French Open semi-final match against Nadal where he went down in pain and was forced to retire, later confirmed he snapped several ligaments in his ankle. He was set to return at last month’s Davis Cup but was diagnosed with a bone edema and underwent more surgery.

Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev and Felix Auger-Aliassime are currently occupying the final three spots in the race but several men can still qualify for Turin, with the upcoming Paris Masters 1000 likely to determine the last few places at the tournament with the likes of Taylor Fritz and Hubert Hurkacz also lurking just below the qualification spots.

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Why Novak Djokovic faces Australian Open ban despite deported player receiving exception

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Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic is waiting to learn whether his ban on entering Australia will be lifted.

Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open fate remains uncertain with just three months to go until the first Grand Slam tournament of 2023. The world No 7 received an automatic three-year ban from returning to the country when he was deported at the start of the year and is waiting to see if this can be lifted. But one tennis player who was also deported this year has already had hers removed, though it will be much tougher for Djokovic to receive the same exception.

Djokovic was deported from Australia at the start of this year after having his visa cancelled twice – successfully appealing the first time but failing the second time which saw him kicked out of the country on the eve of the Aussie Open. His visa was first revoked when he landed in Melbourne unvaccinated with a medical exemption provided by Tennis Australia on the grounds that he had recovered from Covid a month prior.

The government initially did not accept this, deporting other people they found to have received similar support from Tennis Australia, including Renata Voracova who arrived in Australia at the end of December with an exemption explaining she couldn’t take the vaccine. The Czech star had even played a doubles match before she was detained and lost her documents, being asked to leave the country and obliging.

And the doubles world No 121 has already had her automatic three-year ban lifted, successfully appealing it back in July. But the judge who ruled that she could return to Australia had specifically explained why Voracova was able to do so compared to Djokovic, who would have a much harder time convincing authorities to allow him to return before 2025.

“I also note, for completeness, that Ms Voracova’s case can be distinguished from [the] Djokovic [case] because her visa was not cancelled on the grounds of ‘good order,’ nor do the circumstances of her case lend themselves to such a conclusion,” Jan Redfern wrote when summing up the hearing earlier this year, according to The Age.

“As [already] noted, Ms Voracova is not opposed to vaccination and, unlike the Djokovic case where the minister apparently found there was evidence Mr Djokovic had shown a disregard for the self-isolation protocols, there is no such evidence before me to this effect in this case.”

The 21-time Grand Slam winner’s case is different to Voracova because of the nature behind how his visa was revoked. After having it reinstated, it was then cancelled by the then-Immigration Minister using his personal powers on “good order grounds” and Djokovic failed to appeal this decision as it was ruled his presence would “excite anti-vax sentiment” in the country.

The world No 7 has been open about his decision not to get vaccinated against Covid both before and after the saga in Australia, and this was noted as authorities reasoned that Djokovic’s positive Covid test in December 2021 did not prevent him from getting vaccinated as he had already chosen not to in the past. And Redfern pointed this out as a key difference between Djokovic and Voracova’s cases, with the 11-time doubles title winner having “medical evidence” behind the reason she couldn’t get vaccinated.

“She truthfully answered the travel declaration and she had cogent medical evidence to support her exemption, being the evidence provided by her general practitioner about her vulnerability to thrombosis,” Redfern said. “Notably, Ms Voracova did not need to rely on the fact that she had previously contracted COVID-19 as a medical contraindication to vaccination because she had a medical basis to delay vaccination.”

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