Rafael Nadal has many times said that Roger Federer was his biggest rival despite playing more matches against Novak Djokovic. Nadal had a 24-16 record against the Swiss Maestro and shared a great rivalry as well as friendship with the flamboyant player.

On the other hand, Nadal had a 29-31 record against Novak Djokovic. However, Djokovic has always picked Nadal over Federer as his biggest rival on the tour.

Former German player Andrea Petkovic recalled a conversation with Toni Nadal, in which the famous coach picked Djokovic as Nadal’s greatest rival. 

Petkovic said on Rennae Stubbs podcast, “It is interesting because I talked to Toni Nadal and he said Novak [is the greatest player Nadal faced] and he said the reason for that is Novak sees the ball like nobody else. He is the only one who attacked Rafa’s forehand.”

Petkovic recalled that Toni told her the Serbian has the best eyes on tour.

“He gave an example. He said the first few times Novak tried to take Rafa’s forehand on the rise with his backhand and mistimed it a few times and was late on it. Then in the third match he had perfect timing every time. He said he had the best eyes in tennis.”

Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal recently retired from the game after playing for the last time in the Davis Cup. The veteran suffered a straight set loss against Netherlands’ Botic van de Zandschulp as Spain was knocked out in the quarterfinals of the tournament at Malaga. 

Nadal won a total of 22 Grand Slams titles in his glorious career and his rivalry with Federer and Djokovic will go down as the one of the best in the game.