John Isner reveals who was toughest to play ‘at their peak’ between Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

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Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal dominated tennis for 20 years, winning a combined 66 Grand Slam titles.

The legendary trio, better known as the ‘big three’, were a class above on the ATP Tour and shared the number one ranking (alongside Andy Murray) for 18 years between 2004 and 2022.

Competing against three of the sport’s greatest-ever players, their rivals were often left questioning what they may have achieved if they had been born in another era.

The likes of Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Robin Soderling all had chances to win Grand Slams, but were unable to get over the line, falling to ‘big three’ players in their major final appearances.

Another player to struggle against Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal was John Isner, who lost 26 matches against the trio.

Isner has now revealed which of the three was the toughest to play at their ‘absolute peak’.

John Isner says Novak Djokovic was the toughest to play against at his ‘absolute peak’

Appearing on the Tennis Channel, former Wimbledon semi-finalist Isner responded when asked which of the ‘big three’ was the toughest to play.

“I think at their absolute peak, I would say Novak [Djokovic]. Novak completely locked in, I would say him,” he said.

“I mean, they are all so ridiculously good. I played Rafa [Nadal] a bunch on clay, which is not fun.

“Roger [Federer] can neutralise big servers with that chip return he does so well. It was awesome to play against because you are playing on Centre Court.

“I think the answer for me is Novak when he is fully dialled in.”

Isner remembered a match he played against Djokovic at the China Open, where he had ‘no chance’ of winning.

“I played him in Beijing. Nobody ever talks about it, but he is 25-0 in that tournament,” he said.

“He has this legendary record, and I played him in the quarterfinals in the night match, and the weather turned crazy cold, and that was one of the few times that I took to the court and knew I had no chance to win.

“He was just too good at that event, and I wasn’t going to get any free points.

“He beat me two and two in the quarterfinals of Beijing when he was fully locked in, so that was the best level of tennis I have ever played against.”

Losing to Djokovic wasn’t a rare occurrence for Isner, as he fell to the Serb ten times in total, but did he ever beat the 24-time Grand Slam champion?

Did John Isner ever beat Novak Djokovic on the ATP Tour?

After losing his first two matches against Djokovic in 2010, it was third time lucky for Isner when the pair faced off for a place in the 2012 Indian Wells final.

Winning in three sets, 7-6, 3-6, 7-6, Isner got the better of Djokovic in California, securing his first win over a world number one.

He didn’t have to wait long for a second, as Isner got the better of Djokovic once more on American soil in 2013.

On that occasion, Isner beat Djokovic in the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals, again in three sets, 7-6, 3-6, 7-5.

Through five encounters, Isner was 2-3 against Djokovic, a respectable record, although the Serb quickly took control.

Rattling off seven straight wins, Djokovic won the head-to-head 10-2 against the big-serving American.

• 2013 Paris Masters R16 – Novak Djokovic beat John Isner, 6-7, 6-1, 6-2
• 2014 Indian Wells SF – Novak Djokovic beat John Isner, 7-5, 6-7, 6-1
• 2015 Indian Wells R16 – Novak Djokovic beat John Isner, 6-4, 7-6
• 2015 Miami Open SF – Novak Djokovic beat John Isner, 7-6, 6-2
• 2015 China Open QF – Novak Djokovic beat John Isner, 6-2, 6-2
• 2018 ATP Finals RR – Novak Djokovic beat John Isner, 6-4, 6-3
• 2019 Shanghai R16 – Novak Djokovic beat John Isner, 7-5, 6-3

Suffering ten career defeats against Djokovic, it’s no surprise that Isner named him as his toughest opponent.