How Rafael Nadal once answered when asked if he was glad that Novak Djokovic exists

Follow us on Google Discover

Much like the current landscape of men’s tennis, in the mid-2000s, it looked as if just two men were about to dominate the ATP Tour for a while.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were head and shoulders above the rest at that time, with both stars fighting with each other for world number one status each year.

From the 2005 French Open until the 2007 US Open, every Grand Slam title was won by either Federer or Nadal, as the Spaniard dominated in Paris, while the Swiss Maestro triumphed in Melbourne, London and New York.

Their rivalry produced a number of instant classics, particularly the 2008 Wimbledon final, which many consider to be the greatest tennis match of all time.

Months prior to their enthralling clash at the All-England Club, however, a young Serbian talent by the name of Novak Djokovic ended their streak at Grand Slams by winning the Australian Open title.

Djokovic went on to turn what had been a two-horse race into the golden ‘big three’ generation, which some were pleased with, and others not so much.

Rafael Nadal’s comments about Novak Djokovic in 2014

Of his two longtime rivals, Djokovic had more tour-level meetings with Nadal, having faced him 60 times between 2006 and 2024.

Their rivalry was incredibly competitive, but from the end of 2013 to 2016, Djokovic dominated the head-to-head, winning 11 of their 12 bouts.

One of those clashes was the 2014 Miami Open final, which Djokovic won in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, to hold the Masters trophy aloft.

During Nadal’s press conference after losing the title bout, a reporter said to him: “You like challenges. You’ve said it many times. Are you glad that Novak exists?”

In a hilarious response, Nadal replied: “No. I like challenges, but I am not stupid.”

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s records against Roger Federer

Following their final meeting at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Nadal and Djokovic’s head-to-head ended 31-29 in favour of the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

Both stars enjoyed a winning record against Federer, having earned a combined victory tally of 51 against him.

Nadal beat Federer 24 times over the course of their legendary 15-year battle, and lost 16 times, six of which came after 2014.

Djokovic, on the other hand, defeated Federer 27 times, while losing to him on 23 separate occasions.

The Serbian legend won his very last bouts with both Nadal and Federer in 2024 and 2020, respectively.