What Novak Djokovic realised about Roger Federer during their first-ever match in 2006

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Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer played out one of the greatest rivalries in tennis history, which fittingly involved 50 meetings on the ATP Tour.

Their final clash arrived at the 2020 Australian Open, where Djokovic beat Federer in their semifinal before going on to lift the trophy.

And their first arrived all the way back in 2006 at the ATP Masters 1000 Monte Carlo, where they met in the very first round.

Djokovic was a qualifier at the event, but his venture ended early due to a 6-3, 2-6, 6-3 victory for top seed Federer.

The Swiss icon would go on to reach the final in Monaco that year, which he lost to defending champion Rafael Nadal.

The realisation Novak Djokovic had about Roger Federer during their first-ever match

The tournament continued the iconic rivalry between Federer and Nadal, but also marked the start of a new one.

And Djokovic was quick to praise his opponent following their first meeting in Monte Carlo, having been asked afterwards why he thinks Federer has more difficulty on clay courts.

READ MORE: Jimmy Connors suggests what Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz would have done even if Roger Federer was still playing

The young Serbian said at the time: “Well, he doesn’t. He plays… he’s just one of the best players ever in tennis history, that’s for sure.

“Everybody knows that. The problem is that… why he’s so good on all kind of surfaces is that every time before the match everybody goes… he goes to every match with already a winner, you know?

“Because everybody is getting scared, ‘Oh, he’s Roger Federer, I cannot win against him, he’s perfect, I have to play something that I am not playing, something over my maximum, my limits’.

“That’s how he already wins. But I think I started a little bit nervous today, and he broke me I think 1-All first set.

“I was playing and I was thinking I have to do, like I said, ‘something else’. Then I realize he’s good, he’s the best, but still he’s not alien, he’s not getting everything, all the winners.

“He’s just playing a very smart game. He’s very calm. And I started to just play with him. Played a couple of shots and make him make mistakes.

“That’s what I did second set, and I played very, very good. Unfortunately, I didn’t continue playing like this.

“I think Roger, everybody knows that Roger’s worst surface is clay, but still he’s for sure in the three best players on the clay also.

“You know, even I’m sure that he will get his game much better in the next couple of matches, that’s for sure.”

What did Roger Federer say about Novak Djokovic after beating him in Monte Carlo in 2006?

Djokovic will have learned a lot about Federer from that match, after which the Serbian exacted his revenge over the Swiss.

He ended their phenomenal ATP rivalry with 27 wins and 23 losses, ultimately taking the bragging rights over his fierce rival.

Federer was also tasked with sharing his verdict on his opponent back then, having been told post-match that Djokovic was being talked about as one of the most exciting youngsters in tennis.

The legendary Swiss star replied: “Well, I definitely think he’s a good player, yeah. I mean, we’re going to play him again in Davis Cup so it’s going to be interesting to see.

“Yeah, I mean, he was all right from the baseline and everything. I think he’s still got many areas where he can improve, so there is some potential, absolutely.”

While Federer wasn’t exactly emphatic with his praise for Djokovic, he was indeed correct about the 18-year-old’s potential.

Along with getting the better of Federer in their head-to-head record, the Serbian has gone on to claim 100 ATP titles, including 24 Grand Slams.