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Topics: Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Tennis, Wimbledon
Ryan Smart
Topics: Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Tennis, Wimbledon
Novak Djokovic has revealed who he prefers out of his great tennis rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Between Djokovic's first Grand Slam success in 2008 and the end of the 2020 season, only six majors were won by anyone other than himself, Federer, Nadal and Andy Murray.
While the aforementioned trio are all now retired, the Serb has continued his remarkable dominance, adding a further seven majors to his current tally of 24 between 2021 and 2023 to become the most successful male tennis player of all-time.
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He enters Wimbledon later this month looking to tie with record holder Roger Federer in terms of most Open Era tournament wins at SW19.
The Serb, now ranked at world number six, will not start out the men's singles competition as favourite, with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner having shared all six major titles since the beginning of the 2024 season.
Djokovic has had a mixed relationship with tennis fans over the years, having often faced hostile crowds at major tournaments.
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In the classic 2019 final of Wimbledon against Roger Federer, which he won, the majority of Centre Court spectators made clear throughout the match that they wanted Federer to taste a record-extending ninth success.
And in a new interview with the German version of '20 Minutes', Djokovic stated that he always felt like an 'unwanted child' while in matches against Federer and Nadal - before naming which of the two icons he prefers.
"It hurt," he stated (via Marca). "Then I thought that the fans would accept me if I acted differently. But that wasn't the case either. I was never as loved as they were.
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"I am a man with many flaws, of course. However, I have always tried to live with heart and good intentions and, ultimately, to be myself.
"I have always respected Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal - I have never said a single bad word about them and I never will.
"Just because someone is my greatest rival doesn't mean I wish them ill, hate them, or want to do anything else on the court to defeat them. We fought for victory, and the best player won. I admired them and I still do.
"But I've always gotten along better with Nadal."