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The Big Three of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer all feature highly on the list of players with the most top 10 wins.

Four men have won over 150 matches against top 10 players, while just two have surpassed the 200-win milestone.

Here, we look at the seven players who have won the most matches against opponents in the top 10 of the ATP Rankings.

7. Pete Sampras – 124

Pete Sampras accumulated 124 wins over top 10-ranked players in the world.

The American’s maiden top 10 win came against Tim Mayotte in Detroit in 1988, while his last was against Andre Agassi in the 2002 US Open final — the last match of his career.

Sampras won 10 or more matches against top 10 opponents in seven different campaigns (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 and 1999). His 14 top 10 triumphs in 1995 is his best tally.

6. John McEnroe – 128

John McEnroe registered 128 victories against top 10 players in the ATP Rankings.

The American scored his first-ever win over a top 10 player against Wojciech Fibak in Indianapolis in 1977, and his last against Guy Forget at the 1992 Wimbledon Championships.

McEnroe earned 10 or more top 10 wins in seven different seasons (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985). His best single-season top 10 win total is the 24 he compiled in 1984.

5. Jimmy Connors – 131

Jimmy Connors won 131 matches against top 10 opponents in his career.

The American’s maiden top 10 win came against Tom Okker at the 1973 US Open, while his last came against Michael Stich in Memphis in 1992.

4. Ivan Lendl – 166

Ivan Lendl recorded 166 triumphs against players in the top 10 of the ATP Rankings.

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The Czech-American earned his first top 10 win against Arthur Ashe at the 1979 French Open and his last against Boris Becker at the 1993 Tokyo Indoor.

Lendl registered 10 or more top 10 wins in eight different seasons (1980, 1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1989). His 22 wins in 1986 is his best single-season tally.

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

3. Rafael Nadal – 186

Rafael Nadal amassed 186 wins over players ranked in the top 10 in his career.

The Spaniard’s first victory over a top 10 player came against Albert Costa at the 2003 Monte Carlo Masters, while his final one was against Casper Ruud at the 2022 ATP Finals.

Nadal won 10 or more matches against top 10 opponents in 10 different seasons (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017 and 2018). His best top 10 win tally in a season is the 24 he compiled in 2013.

2. Roger Federer – 224

Roger Federer earned 224 victories against opponents in the top 10 of the ATP Rankings.

The Swiss’ maiden top 10 win was against Carlos Moya in Marseille in 1999, while his last came against Novak Djokovic at the 2019 ATP Finals.

Federer recorded 15 or more top 10 wins in nine different campaigns (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015). His 19 wins in 2006 is his best single-season total.

1. Novak Djokovic – 260

Novak Djokovic holds the record for the most matches won against players ranked in the top 10 with a remarkable tally of 260.

The Serbian’s first-ever triumph over a top 10 opponent came against Mariano Puerta at the 2005 Paris Masters, while his most recent was against Carlos Alcaraz at the 2025 Australian Open.

Djokovic has registered 15 or more top 10 wins in nine different seasons (2009, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018 and 2023). His 31 wins over top 10 players in 2015 is an all-time single-season record.

US Open’s Mixed Doubles Shake-Up: Will Federer and Nadal Come Out of Retirement for a Fan Week Spectacle?

The US Open just dropped a game-changing bombshell—Mixed Doubles is moving to Fan Week with a drastically altered format, and Andy Roddick believes this could open the door for some of tennis’ biggest legends to step back onto the court. Could we really see Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, or even Serena Williams back in action for a high-profile doubles cameo?

The US Open just dropped a game-changing bombshell—Mixed Doubles is moving to Fan Week with a drastically altered format, and Andy Roddick believes this could open the door for some of tennis’ biggest legends to step back onto the court. Could we really see Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, or even Serena Williams back in action for a high-profile doubles cameo?

“I will tell you this, I want to put this out there right now,” Roddick said with a grin. “There are some recently retired players… I don’t know about a little Roger and Serena action.”

And what about Rafael Nadal, who remains on the comeback trail but is winding down his career?

“I don’t know what Rafa is doing right now. I am just saying, let’s throw a bomb of enthusiasm into this thing! This is just me wishing, I don’t know.”

The prospect of seeing Federer and Nadal teaming up—or even clashing in mixed doubles—would set the tennis world ablaze. Imagine Serena Williams or even Venus Williams making a surprise return. If the revamped format makes it more of a fun, exhibition-style event, the possibility of legendary cameos becomes tantalizingly real.

Not Everyone is on Board—Doubles Stars Slam the Decision

While Roddick and others see this as an exciting shake-up, established doubles players are furious. Many are calling the move a blatant dismissal of professional doubles players’ careers, reducing their opportunities on one of the sport’s biggest stages.

Jan Zielinski was particularly blunt, blasting the lack of player input.

“No communication with the players, no thought behind what it means to some people’s careers, no respect to the history and traditions,” Zielinski wrote. “Sad to see.”

French doubles star Edouard Roger-Vasselin echoed the frustration, labeling the decision “terrible” for professional doubles players who rely on Grand Slam mixed doubles for ranking points and career opportunities.

Rafael Nadal

Australian doubles specialist Ellen Perez went even further, taking to social media to call out the US Open’s decision in scathing terms:

“Tell us that you think doubles players are trash, that tradition is overrated and job opportunity is a thing of the past without actually saying it.”

A Risky Move or a Brilliant Innovation?

The new format undeniably shifts the focus away from traditional doubles and towards a more entertainment-driven experience. The wildcard system means that high-profile names—perhaps even celebrity pairings—could grab the spotlight, transforming Mixed Doubles into a fan-favorite spectacle rather than a competitive discipline.

For fans, the idea of Federer, Nadal, Serena, or even Andy Murray stepping onto the doubles court in front of roaring crowds during Fan Week is a dream scenario. But for professional doubles players, it’s yet another reminder of how their discipline often takes a back seat to singles stars.

Whether this move reinvigorates mixed doubles or sparks ongoing controversy, one thing is clear: The US Open has just shaken up the tennis world in a major way.

The assumption Roger Federer made about Rafael Nadal after losing to him at the Australian Open back in 2012

With the Australian Open draw now released, players are now hard at work to ready themselves for their first-round matchups in Melbourne.

Ten-time winner Novak Djokovic will look to exact revenge on 2024 Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner, who beat him in last year’s semi-finals.

The Serbian star is now the only member of the ‘big three’ left competing, after Rafael Nadal retired from tennis in 2024, and Roger Federer hung up the racket in 2022.

Nadal and Federer combined for eight titles at Melbourne Park, and their absence at the event over the past few years has been noticeable.

They played several legendary matches against one another, and after one encounter in 2012, Federer revealed how he really felt about playing Nadal.

Roger Federer felt that Rafael Nadal always played his best tennis against him after losing at the 2012 Australian Open

As the number two, and number three seeds, Nadal and Federer advanced to the last four of the 2012 Australian Open, with ambitions of bringing home the title.

The pair failed to reach the final in 2011, as Nadal lost to his compatriot David Ferrer in the quarter-finals and Federer lost to Djokovic in the semi-finals.

Determined to go one better this time around the Swiss star started strongly, as he grabbed the first set in a tiebreaker.

The momentum soon switched, however, as the Spaniard took control, winning the match 6-7, 6-2, 7-6, 6-4, to book his place in the final against Djokovic.

Federer was complimentary towards his ATP rival but frustrated after the match, as he believed that Nadal always raised his level when they played each other.

“I always think he plays a bit better against me than against other players, but that’s good for him,” he said.

“I don’t know if it’s true, it’s my assumption.

“I feel he plays really good against me.”

The now 20-time Slam champion went on to explain why he thought Nadal was able to raise his level against him.

“He’s played me that many times on clay, so maybe he always draws something out of those matches,” said Federer.

“He’s also got a winning record against me which maybe gives him extra confidence, I don’t know, yeah, I think he has a clear plan and he follows that one very well.

“Like I said, I think he just plays good, you know, and he’s obviously improved a lot on all surfaces over the years, he’s a very good player, obviously.”

Reporters told Nadal what Federer had said, and gave him the opportunity to respond.

“I play my best tennis against him when I am ready to play my best tennis, I don’t play my best tennis because it’s Roger [Federer] in front,” he said.

“Normally when I play against Roger it’s because I am playing my best tennis because I always was in finals or was in very important matches, and having good confidence because I have won a lot of matches before.

“It’s true I played a lot of good matches against him during my career, so it is something fantastic, but I believe that he played a few fantastic matches against me too during his career, during our rivalry, no?”

Federer and Nadal may have been rivals, but it was a rivalry played in good spirits, something that both made a point of reiterating after the match.

“I enjoy playing him, the crowd really gets into it, which is nice,” said Federer.

“We have a lot of respect for each other, which is good, too, I think.

“I hope it inspires future generations or other players, you know, being nice to each other on the court and all that stuff.”

Rafael Nadal

Nadal agreed as he was thankful for the rivalry he had forged with Federer.

“I enjoy playing against him, it’s always a special feeling because our matches always have been special, and especially today after a lot of ones, a lot of important moments for our careers,” he said.

“Our relationship always has been in a very positive way, so for all of these facts our matches are special, no?

“I think hopefully we will repeat soon.”

How many times did Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal play each other at the Australian Open?

Nadal may have got the better of Federer when they faced off on Rod Laver Arena back in 2012, but how many times did they play each other in Australia, and who got the better of those encounters?

The Spaniard led the head-to-head 3-1, only losing their final encounter back in 2017.

Federer battled through in five sets to get the better of Nadal in Melbourne for the first time as he claimed his fifth Australian Open title.

The match reminded many of Nadal’s win over Federer in 2009, a contest that many consider to be one of the greatest of all time.

It remains to be seen if any matches at the 2025 Australian Open can live up to the standard set by Nadal and Federer, but there isn’t long to wait now, as the competition gets underway on January 12.

Nick Kyrgios says what Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal used to do to people before they stepped on court but couldn’t to him

Nick Kyrgios is finally back on a tennis court, with the Australian having just taken part in the World Tennis League.

Kyrgios played doubles with Casper Ruud at the team event in Abu Dhabi, but their Kites side failed to reach the final two.

The former will have used the competition as preparation for the 2025 Australian Open, having last played on the ATP Tour in Stuttgart in the summer of 2023.

Kyrgios will play at the Brisbane International as further preparation, where he will partner 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

Having overcome his rivalry with the Serbian, the Australian has entered into a relatively new tussle with Jannik Sinner.

Nick Kyrgios says what Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal used to do before stepping on court

Kyrgios wants to create a ‘riot’ against Sinner if the pair were to meet at the Australian Open, with that claim not pleasing five-time Grand Slam doubles champion Nicolas Mahut.

Mahut labelled Kyrgios’s Sinner comments “unnecessary”, with the latter now sharing his response to the Frenchman.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

“I don’t know if there’s a back-and-forth,” Kyrgios told Telecom Asia Sport. “Nicolas Mahut, on a global level, hasn’t made inroads like I have, so I’ll let that be. And I don’t think the world necessarily cares too much about what Nicolas Mahut has to say.

“I wasn’t retiring. Trust me, I was two sets away from winning a Grand Slam. I didn’t retire; I was forced to stop playing for a while.

“It was very, very hard because I was playing the best tennis of my life. It’s been about 16 months since my surgery, and I’ve done everything the right way – no shortcuts, just rehab and hard work.

“I’ve put myself in the best position I can, and now I’ll let my tennis do the talking. I have people like Mahut telling me to be realistic.

“He was an amazing doubles player, a Grand Slam champion, no doubt, but he didn’t have the singles career I’ve had.

“That’s probably why he has his opinion. But on the singles court, he never had the belief I have, so that opinion means nothing to me.

“I’ve achieved way more things playing singles than Mahut could have in his entire career. That belief is what separates players.

“[Roger] Federer, [Rafael] Nadal, [Novak] Djokovic – they were the greatest because people were defeated before they even stepped on the court with them. I don’t want to be that player. I’ll always back my ability and my belief.”

Nick Kyrgios names two best players in the world right now

Kyrgios will likely have to face the very best the ATP Tour has to offer if he wants to enjoy a lengthy stay in Melbourne, which certainly won’t be easy.

It remains to be seen what level he can operate at after his injury problems, while many star names will be out to start 2025 on a major high.

Among them are world numbers one and three Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz respectively, who shared the Grand Slam titles between them in 2024.

And it is that duo who have caught the eye of Kyrgios, who added: “There’s no doubt that Sinner, Alcaraz – these guys are the best in the world right now, hands down.

“But that doesn’t mean I won’t believe in myself. I’ll always back myself and do everything I can to compete.”

Novak Djokovic made offer to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as future link-up mooted

Novak Djokovic is the last man standing from the Big Four era. Roger Federer retired in 2022 before Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal joined him this year.

The current world No. 7 has already reached out to one of his old rivals, hiring Murray as his coach for the off-season and Australian Open.

But he also previously made a different offer to Federer and Nadal, as he hopes to strengthen their relationship in retirement.

Djokovic somewhat gatecrashed the Federer and Nadal party. The Serb broke through later than his two competitors, winning his first Grand Slam title in 2008 and reaching world No. 1 for the first time in 2011.

But he came from behind to surpass both in the record books and now holds 24 Major trophies and the most all-time weeks at the top of the rankings with 428. Their intense rivalry meant, as Djokovic previously confessed, the trio weren’t “friends”.

The 37-year-old wants to change that as he previously extended an offer to the two multi-Grand Slam champions, sharing his hopes that they can all “sit down and reflect” on their careers together when they have all retired.

During an appearance on 60 Minutes at the end of last year, the Olympic champion was asked whether he could have a friendly future. “I would like to,” he replied.

“I would really like to. Personally, I would like to. I mean, I know that obviously we didn’t get along so well throughout our careers in, like, off court.

“And we are not friends because, you know, we’re rivals and it’s difficult as competitors to be very close and kind of share and give insights to you know, to your life or to how you feel because, you know, it could be used against you.”

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

While it has been difficult to open up to his biggest rivals, the world No. 7 is hopeful that they can spend more time together when all is said and done. He continued: “But we have shared the stage for so many years.

“And I think the greatest respect is always there, at least from my side, towards them. So yeah, I hope that one day, when the curtains are slightly more closed, that we are, yeah, able to sit down and, and reflect. It would be amazing.”

Djokovic has already been able to share some closer moments with Federer and Nadal this year. He caught up with the Swiss star when Federer came to watch him compete in the Shanghai Masters final.

The Serb also ran into Nadal on their flight to Indian Wells back in February. They spent time together in Riyadh during the Six Kings Slam exhibition in October, enjoying activities with their younger rivals, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Djokovic has also turned to another old foe, hiring Murray as his new coach. After explaining how difficult it would be to share insight with his competitors, the two 37-year-olds will be in the same corner talking tactics.

“I am excited to have one of my greatest rivals on the same side of the net, as my coach,” Djokovic said, announcing the news.

“Looking forward to start of the season and competing in Australia alongside Andy with whom I have shared many exceptional moments on the Australian soil.”

Casper Ruud has admitted he does not understand how the domination and longevity of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer is possible. 

The three-time Grand Slam finalist also conveyed particular disbelief at the way Nadal “never let the emotions get to him for like 20 years.”

Djokovic, Nadal and Federer have won an astonishing 66 Grand Slam titles between them, having secured 24, 22 and 20 respectively. The trio make up the top three for the most men’s majors won in the history of tennis.

From Federer’s first Grand Slam triumph at the 2003 Wimbledon Championships to Djokovic’s most recent at the 2023 US Open, the Big Three won all but 15 of the 81 majors held.

Federer called time on his career in 2022, while Nadal is set to retire following the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga next month, leaving Djokovic as the only remaining Big Three member.

Speaking on an episode of the Nothing Major podcast, Ruud expressed the awe with which he regards Nadal, Djokovic and Federer.

“Rafa’s always like — doesn’t swear on court,” the world No 7 said. “He never threw a racket. He never let the emotions get to him for like 20 years which for me is just like… how is it possible?

“I’ve understood how crazy it is from Rafa, Roger, and Novak, that they performed every single year for like 17, 18 years. They’ve been so good.

Rafael Nadal

“How have they been able to keep the motivation up? How they’ve been able to be strict with themselves? How have they been able to win like 70 matches every year? Year in, year out.

“I just don’t understand how it’s possible. It’s one thing to do it three, four, or five years. But for them it’s been almost 20 years of pure domination.”

Ruud lost his only career meeting with Federer, while he holds an 0-2 record against Nadal and a 1-5 record against Djokovic — who he defeated in the pair’s most recent encounter at this year’s Monte Carlo Masters.

Two of the 25-year-old Norwegian’s three losses in Grand Slam championship matches came to Nadal and Djokovic at the French Open in 2022 and 2023 respectively.

Ruud will face Jordan Thompson in his opening match at the Paris Masters this week.

Two of the “Big Three” will be retired from tennis after the Spaniard steps away next month.

As Rafael Nadal prepares to retire from professional tennis next month, the Spaniard has been asked many times to reflect on the rivalries he’s shared with the other two members of the “Big Three”—Roger Federer of Switzerland and Novak Djokovic of Serbia.

In a recent interview with DAZN Sport, the 22-time major champion was asked to push the conversation further and compare the rivalries between him, Federer and Djokovic to the new rivalries being made between young players in tennis—like the battles between Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Jannik Sinner of Italy.

Nadal admitted a rivalry may be blooming between the World No. 1 and 2, but he doesn’t want to compare his rivalries to theirs quite yet. He thinks the 21-year-old and 23-year-old should have a chance to prove themselves throughout their careers, and then the tennis world can declare comparisons between the eras of rivalries.

Rafael Nadal

“We need to wait, but of course. This year already two grand slams for each. Number one and number two in the world. They’re creating their own story,” Nadal said of Sinner and Alcaraz. “I think it’s not a moment to compare eras. Because Novak is still there. Roger and myself left… but that’s part of the sports career of everyone. Now it’s a new generation coming. We need to let them create their own rivalries and their own story. They don’t need the comparisons with us. Let’s see at the end of their careers, then will be the moment to compare what they did and what we did.”

Nadal’s been a big influence on fellow Spaniard Alcaraz’s career in particular. The duo even competed in doubles during this year’s Paris Olympics. Alcaraz appeared pretty emotional after the announcement on Nadal’s retirement, too.

But, like Nadal said, Alcaraz has been making his own history on the tennis court. At this year’s French Open, he became the youngest male player to reach a major final on all three surfaces. He won both the French Open and Wimbledon this year to total four career majors so far.

Sinner captured the other two major titles of the year at the Australian Open and U.S. Open.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal took to social media Tuesday following Dominic Thiem’s loss at the Erste Bank Open to congratulate the Austrian on his retirement.

“An illustrious career comes to a close,” Federer wrote in an Instagram story. “Congratulations Domi.”

Thiem won five of his seven Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings against Federer. Their lone championship clash came at the 2019 BNP Paribas Open, where the Austrian claimed his lone ATP Masters 1000 title.

“No matter the surface, you always found a way to beat me with your thunderous backhands,” Federer wrote. “But more importantly, you did it with grace and sportsmanship.”

Nadal, who won their series 10-6 (Thiem earned four clay-court victories) also posted an Instagram Story, sharing the same sentiment as many: “Danke Domi”.