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.”

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.

“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.