Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer had some fierce battles over the course of their careers.
Although the rivalry between Federer and Rafael Nadal was one for the ages, people forget just how many good matches the Swiss superstar had with Djokovic.
The rivalry was made all the more intriguing by the fact that Federer didn’t rate Djokovic when he first burst onto the scene with some particularly derogatory comments in 2009.
Federer is much more complimentary about Djokovic these days, and it does appear as though there is some mutual respect between the two elite performers.
In 2009, Federer ousted Djokovic to reach the final of the US Open, and afterwards, the 24-time Grand Slam champion made some comments that were proved right in a matter of hours.
What Novak Djokovic said about Juan Martin del Potro
When Federer had overcome Djokovic in straight sets during the 2009 US Open semifinal, the Serbian player was quizzed on his final opponent, Del Potro.
He was asked whether the likes of Del Potro and Andy Murray could sustain a serious challenge on the big three when it came to winning Grand Slam titles.
Djokovic was adamant that they could, and something he said about the Argentine was proven when he went and upset the applecart by winning the US Open title from Federer’s grasp.
He said in his press conference: “Definitely, yeah.
“Del Potro is showing his best tennis in the last couple of months, and you’ve got to give him credit for that. He’s still a young guy, but moves extremely well for his height and is an all-around player, as well. Very strong serve and great consistency from the groundstrokes.
“I think he has a good chance against Roger if he plays his best. Why not? I mean, it’s different when you — you know, when you didn’t win a Grand Slam, then you maybe face a little mental challenge in the late stages of the Grand Slam, like maybe Murray did last year in the finals US Open, and throughout this year, as well.
“Definitely Del Potro, Murray, Roddick, these guys can still win – you know, are in the group to win the Grand Slams, and many others, as well. He said in his press conference: “
Juan Martin del Potro went and proved Djokovic right
Just a matter of hours after Djokovic had tipped Del Potro as a Grand Slam champion, he went and stunned the tennis world by beating Federer in five sets.
Del Potro was a player who dedicated everything he had to his career as a tennis player, and winning a major title was the reward for lots of hard work.
He won his only Grand Slam title, proving Djokovic right, with a stunning victory and put behind him some rotten luck with injuries.
Sadly for Del Potro, that moment at Flushing Meadows was as good as it got for him during his career, with the Argentine also reaching three Grand Slam semifinals without managing to make another final.
Djokovic saw the quality in Del Potro, and Federer has stated since this match that he sees this particular moment as a missed opportunity to claim another Grand Slam.
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