Novak Djokovic comments on what the perception is of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer among other players.
The Serbian is part of the group coined by many as the ‘Big 3 along with the Spaniard and Swiss Maestro, who set numerous records and raised the standard of tennis during their illustrious careers.
The trio, who have 66 Grand Slam titles between them, have created a great legacy within the sport and have inspired the next generation of players and beyond.
Novak Djokovic is still adding to legacy as he prepares to compete in the 2024 US Open, but he was pushed to become an all-time great given the high level from his peers.
What did Novak Djokovic say about Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer?
Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have not only had a profound impact of tennis with their achievements on court, but they are also leaders off the court.
The 37-year-old has spoken of his desire and passion to be both a voice and assistance for lower-ranked players who perhaps do not have the same platform and reach as he does. This why he formed the Professional Tennis Players Association.
He also spoke of other players looking up to him given his status in the game, and Djokovic said this is the same with Nadal and Federer.
“I love being part of the tennis tour and the PTPA is also something that motivates me and I have been working on for many years, even before it was founded, and I tried to advocate for players, even before that in the player council within the ATP structure,” he said.
“I feel like that is part of my responsibility of being somebody with a sound name and status in sport, a lot of players look up to me and Federer and Nadal. The legend of the games and look for guidance and carefully listen to our words and actions and hope to get that kind of leadership as well.”
When did Novak Djokovic form the PTPA?
Djokovic along with 2014 Wimbledon doubles champion Vasek Pospisil formed the Professional Tennis Players Association in 2019.
They represent singles players in the top 500 and doubles players in the top 200 on the ATP and WTA tour.
One of its main objectives is to ease financial burdens for players across the tour, and the organisation’s main aim is to “obtain players’ fair share of the business of tennis and terms of participation.”
“Women and men who are around 200 and lower ranked in the world, they are struggling a lot,” Novak told 60 Minutes in December 2023.
“They can’t afford a coach, they can’t afford travels, they skip tournaments, many of them leave tennis who are super talented and maybe capable of reaching great heights and successes, but they just can’t make it.”
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