Rafael Nadal gets brutally honest about toll of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer rivalries

Rafael Nadal has spoken candidly about the challenges of his rivalries with Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer and asserted that each of the trio “pushed ourselves to the limit in every sense.”

The 38-year-old Spaniard brought the curtain down on his incredible 23-year career last November at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals. Federer, 43, retired in 2022, while Djokovic, 37, is still a major contender.

The competition between Nadal, Federer and Djokovic transcended tennis, with the rivalries between the three icons considered to be some of the greatest in the history of any sport.

Nadal faced Djokovic a men’s Open Era record of 60 times — from 2006 to 2024 — with the Serbian holding a 31-29 edge. The duo contested 18 matches at majors, with Nadal winning 11.

The Spaniard amassed a 24-16 record from his 40 encounters with Federer, which were played across a 15-year period between 2004 and 2019. The ‘King of Clay’ won 10 of his 14 Grand Slam matches with the Swiss.

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Djokovic, Nadal and Federer are the only men to win 20 Grand Slam titles, with the trio sitting on 24, 22 and 20 respectively.

Speaking at Mundo Deportivo’s Gran Gala, where Nadal was awarded the Trofeo Extraordinario, the legendary Mallorcan was asked which of his rivals made life most difficult for him.

“I would say Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer; it’s difficult to choose,” the former world No 1 said.

“My career is linked to both of them, the three of us have pushed each other to be better.

“It’s true that we’ve taken things from each other, but it’s fair to say that one of us, without the other two, wouldn’t have reached the numbers that the three of us have achieved.

“In some ways, we have pushed ourselves to the limit in every sense. Physically this has harmed us quite a bit, but on a tennis and mental level it has taken us to the next level of demand and that is why we have been able to have such a long career.”

Nadal – who was particularly plagued by injuries in the latter stage of his career – revealed, though, that he has felt good physically since retiring.

“At the moment, I’m able to live with very little pain, and this is very important for me,” Nadal explained.

“Getting up and going down the stairs normally is a very important step in my life.”

“I’m adapting to a new facet of my life. The last few years of my career were difficult and that helps me not miss it so much.

“I retired only three months ago, not a year ago, and I can’t say it with total clarity, but at the moment I’m fine.”