Novak Djokovic picks who was better out of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

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Novak Djokovic says who he thinks was better out of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

The Serbian spent the vast majority of his illustrious career battling for tennis supremacy alongside his greatest rivals.

The 37-year-old played a combined 110 matches against one another over the course of 15 to 20 years, and provided fans with some truly iconic moments on court.

With Nadal and Federer retired, Djokovic is the last player from the trio still active on the ATP Tour and aims to add to his record haul of 24 Grand Slam titles.

Novak Djokovic says who is better out Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

There is perhaps no better player to speak of playing against Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer than Novak Djokovic.

He has both played and beaten his fellow legends more times than any other player and Djokovic has repeatedly said how they forced him to become a better player.

Therefore it came as no surprise when Djokovic was asked to blind rank five players by DAZN, of which Federer and Nadal have included.

Of the five players that were named, Djokovic placed his coach Andy Murray at number five, and eight-time Grand Slam winner Andre Agassi at number four.

Pete Sampras, who Djokovic referred to as his tennis idol, was placed third on the list, while Djokovic put Federer second and Nadal ahead him in first place.

Novak Djokovic blind ranks five of tennis’ greatest players

What has Novak Djokovic previously said about his ‘idol’ Pete Sampras?

Before Djokovic produced a career worthy of being called the greatest of all time, he was inspired to pick up a racket by Sampras.

The American dominated men’s tennis throughout the 1990s and finished his career with 14 Grand Slam titles, the record at the time.

Back in 2020, Djokovic had a conversation with Sampras ahead of that year’s ATP Finals, where he described what he admired most about the former player and seven-time Wimbledon champion.

“I’ve said it many times, I looked up to Pete [Sampras], he was definitely my role model and idol in tennis,” he said.

“I cannot say I was copying Pete, because my game is probably completely different from his but I just loved the way he dealt with pressure and played his best when he needed it the most. Always found the first serve, always held his nerves.”