Novak Djokovic has helped form a handful of epic rivalries throughout his stunning career, which remarkably isn’t over yet.
Djokovic formed the iconic Big Three alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who have retired from playing tennis.
Serbian superstar Djokovic remains a key figure on the ATP Tour, although he did recently decide to skip the Miami Open.
The 38-year-old is clearly prioritising one final Grand Slam title, having achieved his first all the way back at the 2008 Australian Open.
Back then, Djokovic intriguingly labelled the rivalry between Federer and Nadal as the “biggest” on the ATP Tour.
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Novak Djokovic said Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal was the biggest rivalry in tennis
When asked if Federer’s limited preparation for the 2008 Australian Open made him more vulnerable at the tournament or not, Djokovic said at the time: “Of course, I mean, that’s maybe a question for him.
“We don’t need to talk about him too much. He proved that he’s the best player in the world in the past three, four years, and he really deserves that spot and that honor.
“Of course, he’s one of the best ever that played this game. Now, you know, I’m one of the players who is really trying to challenge him in that matter.
“You know, as a 20-year-old, I reached the third place of the world, but I’m really not trying to rush anywhere.
“I know the way he’s playing now on any surface he’s not really thinking of letting go of that first place in the world.
“We cannot forget, you know, Rafa Nadal is right behind him already for three years trying to get to the best place in the world. Obviously their rivalry is the biggest rivalry in men’s tennis.
“But, you know, I’ve been recently making a lot of good results and people started, you know, talking about… more about three players, you know, not any more just two. So it’s a nice thing to hear and it’s very flattering.
“But I just really need to focus on my life, on my career, and then, you know, try to achieve my lifetime goal.”
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Novak Djokovic outlasts Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at the 2008 Australian Open
It was a really mature and measured response from such a young player, who had lost his first Grand Slam final to Federer at the 2007 US Open.
But he exacted revenge against the Swiss legend in Melbourne, winning their semifinal clash, with Nadal also falling at that stage of the tournament.
Federer and Nadal were the first and second seeds respectively back then, but third seed Djokovic was the man to go all the way.
In a sign of what was to come, he defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(7-2) to clinch the trophy, his first of 24 Grand Slam titles.
As for his head-to-head figures with Federer and Nadal, Djokovic boasts favorable 27-23 and 31-29 records respectively.
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