In a candid interview with GQ, Novak Djokovic reflected on the early stages of his career and how his massive confidence initially distanced him from his main rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. At the time, both Federer and Nadal were the undisputed kings of tennis, dominating the sport with their numerous Grand Slam titles. But Djokovic, determined to challenge their dominance, confidently declared that he had what it took to become one of the greatest players in history.
“I didn’t have the acceptance early on, because I did go out on the court saying and showing that I’m confident that I want to win,” Djokovic explained. He believed that his bold confidence might not have been well received by Federer and Nadal, who were used to other players approaching matches with the mindset of simply trying to test their abilities rather than genuinely believing they could win.
Djokovic’s assertion of his own abilities, particularly early in his career, may have rubbed Federer and Nadal the wrong way. “Most of the players were going out to play them, not to win,” Djokovic pointed out. “And because of that confident stance, they probably were even more distanced from me.” While nothing was ever publicly confirmed, Djokovic’s sense of self-assuredness may have played a role in the initial coolness he felt from both rivals. However, he accepted this as part of the rivalry and competitive nature of the sport. “And that’s fine. I accepted it as it is. I understood the messaging that I got, which was we are rivals and nothing else,” he said.
As time went on and Djokovic began to accumulate Grand Slam titles, particularly in the latter stages of their rivalry, the relationship between the three players evolved. While Federer and Nadal were initially distant, both came to accept Djokovic as a worthy adversary. In fact, when Federer retired in 2022, he invited Djokovic to be part of Team Europe at the Laver Cup, an act that demonstrated their growing camaraderie.
Nadal has also spoken highly of Djokovic in recent years, particularly acknowledging his unprecedented achievements. “He is the best ever, in terms of achievements,” Nadal stated, further illustrating the mutual respect that has developed between the three tennis giants.
Reflecting on the challenges of forging friendships on the Tour, Djokovic acknowledged that being close friends with your biggest rivals is difficult. “It is very difficult to be friends on the Tour with your biggest rivals,” he said, highlighting the inherent competitive tension between top players.
In the end, what began as a fierce rivalry built on confidence and competition has matured into mutual respect. Djokovic’s story is not only one of overcoming his rivals but also understanding the complex dynamics of sportsmanship and competition.
