In a candid reflection on his storied career, Novak Djokovic, the last active member of tennis’s legendary Big 3, has revealed his pick for the most talented player among himself, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal. Speaking in an interview with Slaven Bilic on the *Neuspjeh Prvaka* YouTube channel, the 24-time Grand Slam champion didn’t hesitate to place Federer at the pinnacle of natural talent, offering a fascinating glimpse into how he views the trio that has dominated men’s tennis for two decades.
“When we compare me, Federer, and Nadal, Federer is the most talented one,” Djokovic said. “The most beautiful to watch when playing, he used his energy most efficiently. He moved lightly, so elegantly and so efficiently. Nadal is the opposite extreme. He dominated physically. I was somewhere in between, but I leaned more towards Nadal’s style of play.”
Djokovic’s assessment highlights the distinct qualities each member of the Big 3 brought to the court. Federer, with his graceful movement and effortless shot-making, was a maestro whose game seemed to transcend the physical demands of the sport. Nadal, by contrast, was a relentless force, his bruising physicality and unparalleled tenacity wearing down opponents, particularly on clay. Djokovic, known for his elastic defense and mental fortitude, carved out a unique space between the two, blending physical endurance with tactical brilliance.
The Big 3 have collectively amassed 66 Grand Slam titles, rewriting the record books and setting a standard that may never be matched. Djokovic holds the edge in head-to-head matchups, leading Federer 27-23 and Nadal 31-29, a testament to his longevity and adaptability. Yet, his willingness to anoint Federer as the most talented speaks to the deep respect he holds for his retired rival, who bid farewell to the sport at the 2022 Laver Cup. Nadal, too, has stepped away, retiring after last year’s Davis Cup, leaving Djokovic as the sole standard-bearer of this golden era.
At 38, Djokovic remains a formidable force, though his 2025 season has been a mixed bag. He reached the Australian Open semifinals before an injury forced him to retire against Alexander Zverev. After a string of early exits and a Miami Open final loss to Jakub Mensik, he broke his trophy drought by defeating Hubert Hurkacz at the Geneva Open. At the French Open, he fell in the semifinals to Jannik Sinner, the eventual runner-up. Despite these setbacks, Djokovic’s hunger for major titles remains undimmed, with his sights set on Wimbledon, where he aims to tie Federer’s record of eight titles and claim his 25th Grand Slam.
Beyond the Grand Slams, Djokovic has another goal in his crosshairs: the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Having clinched his first Olympic gold medal last year in Paris by defeating Carlos Alcaraz, he now dreams of adding another at age 41. “The only thing that I have in my head which gives me motivation is the Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles,” he told Bilic. “And playing for the national team and Grand Slams. But not even the Grand Slams, not as much as the Olympics.”
Djokovic’s praise for Federer underscores the mutual admiration that defined the Big 3’s rivalries, even as they pushed each other to unprecedented heights. As he prepares for Wimbledon without playing warm-up events—a strategy he employed last year before reaching the final—Djokovic carries the weight of their legacy alone. Whether he can match Federer’s Wimbledon tally or add another Olympic gold, one thing is clear: the Serb’s competitive fire burns as brightly as ever, fueled by the same drive that made the Big 3 an era-defining force in tennis.
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