Over a two-decade stint, just three men dominated the ATP Tour.
However, for a period, Andy Murray managed to force his way into contention, creating an unofficial Big Four alongside Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.
He had consistently been a thorn in their side throughout his career, but around this time, the Scotsman really stepped up to start challenging for elite titles.
In the end, he retired with three Grand Slam titles to his name as well as two Olympic gold medals for his work in the singles too.
However, Murray has now revealed that, of the trio he most regularly faced, Federer was the only one who would refuse to face his legendary peers in practice.
Why Roger Federer refused to practice with Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal
Explaining this decision on Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips YouTube channel, the 38-year-old who retired just last year, noted: “I would practice with them, I’d practice with Djokovic and Nadal.
“When I first started, I would practice with Federer. But after a year or two, he stopped; he wouldn’t practice with me anymore.
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“He never practised with Djokovic or Nadal, I think, because he considered them to be a competitor.
“I liked practising with them just because it gave me the chance to see where my game was at.
“I wouldn’t practice with them a couple of days before a big match, but a couple weeks out from a major tournament, then I would practice with those guys.
“I was never going for dinner with them. Whereas now I’d love to do that, see them a few times socially.”
Ironically, Murray’s decision to coach Djokovic marked another wholly unexpected move that Federer and Nadal likely would never have dreamed of doing.
Andy Murray on his relationship with Novak Djokovic
While they may have recently undergone an unsuccessful coaching stint, it’s unlikely that Murray’s relationship with Djokovic will have been tarnished.
After all, they have been friends since childhood, and this innocuous story about practising with one another arguably reinforces the fact that they stayed that way throughout their careers.
Willing to help one another whilst testing their abilities against a fellow great, both have only had positive words to say about one another over the last two decades.
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And, after he announced his retirement last year, Murray offered a further glimpse into their relationship as he posted a picture on his Instagram with the caption: “Rivals, doubles partners, friends and lovers?
“Thanks for the 25 years of competition @djokernole and good luck for the rest of your career”.
John McEnroe claimed it was obvious why Murray and Djokovic’s coaching relationship didn’t work. Fortunately, their actual relationship seems untouched.
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