Pep Guardiola, the renowned manager of Manchester City, has expressed his deep admiration for the tennis “geniuses” of the modern era—Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic. As these three icons have dominated men’s singles tennis for the past two decades, Guardiola has been particularly struck by their consistency, resilience, and ability to maintain excellence throughout their careers.
Guardiola, speaking on Sky Sports’ new One on One series and podcast, praised the trio for their unwavering commitment and mental strength. “I admire the consistency of ‘The Big Three’ every single season, being there and never giving up, coming back from setbacks,” he remarked. His admiration for the trio is not limited to their on-court talent but extends to their ability to navigate difficult moments and continue performing at the highest level.
Rafael Nadal, 38, is preparing for his retirement after next month’s Davis Cup finals in Malaga, marking the end of an extraordinary career. Nadal, who has amassed 22 Grand Slam titles, including a record 14 French Open titles, will face Djokovic one final time at the Six Kings Slam before stepping away from tennis. Guardiola, who shares a bond with the Spanish legend, admitted he felt “a little bit sad” about Nadal’s retirement but also acknowledged the immense contributions all three players have made to the sport.
Guardiola described the three players as “geniuses,” a title he believes is well-earned through their sustained excellence over the years. He reflected on how their determination and mental toughness have been sources of inspiration for him. “I tried to learn a lot from their body language, how they behave in the bad moments, how strong they are mentally, and of course the talent and skill,” he said. Guardiola sees their ability to overcome adversity and maintain high performance as crucial lessons in both sports and life.
In addition to their physical prowess, Guardiola also observes the finer details of how tennis players manage pressure. He shared his fascination with how players like Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal focus their gaze on the ball during tense moments, analyzing their posture and composure. “I also want to see how losers react in the next match,” he added, suggesting that these reactions reveal a lot about their mental fortitude and approach to challenges.
Guardiola, like Djokovic, remains a dominant force in his field. Having been in charge of Manchester City for nine years, Guardiola is the longest-serving manager in the Premier League from a generation of top-tier coaches, including Arsène Wenger, José Mourinho, and Jürgen Klopp. Reflecting on his own tenure, Guardiola acknowledged the pressure to succeed, stating, “You have to win. This is the only job where people are demanding desperately to sack you.”
Despite the challenges, Guardiola’s admiration for the tennis greats remains evident, and he draws strength from their ability to stay at the top. As he continues to lead Manchester City, Guardiola will no doubt carry with him the lessons learned from these sporting giants, further enriching his own legendary career.
