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.

‘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.”

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.

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.

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.