Novak Djokovic recently reflected on the impact of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on his career, acknowledging their role in shaping him into the player he is today. The trio, comprising Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer, has collectively dominated tennis for the past twenty years, clinching an impressive 66 Grand Slam titles among them.

Initially, Federer led the pack, securing the first 20 majors before being joined by his two rivals. Nadal then surged ahead with 22 titles, later equaled by Djokovic, who eventually surpassed the record with 24 titles.

While many speculate on what might have been had their careers not overlapped, Djokovic remains grateful for the fierce competition they provided. He credits their rivalry for pushing him to greater heights, despite the challenges he faced in breaking through against them early in his career.

When asked how many more Grand Slam titles he might have won had he not competed alongside Federer and Nadal, Djokovic emphasized his gratitude for the rivalry, stating that it made him a better player. He reflected on the initial struggles he faced in defeating them on the biggest stages before eventually figuring out what he needed to do to succeed. Djokovic sees his career trajectory as a result of the lessons learned and the intense matches experienced against his two rivals.

Since Federer’s retirement in September 2022 and Nadal’s limited appearances due to injury in the past 18 months, Novak Djokovic has found himself adapting to a new tennis landscape. Emerging talents like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have risen to the challenge, providing Djokovic with new opponents to contend with.

Reflecting on the absence of his long-time rivals, Djokovic expressed a sentiment akin to John McEnroe’s experience when Bjorn Borg retired, acknowledging that a part of him feels like it has retired as well. Despite facing new competitors, Djokovic admits that Federer and Nadal remain the two most significant rivals he has ever had. While enjoying his matches against Alcaraz and Sinner, they have yet to fill the void left by his iconic battles with Federer and Nadal.