Rafael Nadal says rivalry with Roger Federer was more attractive for fans than Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal said his rivalry with Roger Federer was more attractive for fans than Novak Djokovic. Nadal had an epic rivalry with both Federer and Djokovic in his glorious career. While the Spaniard had a 24-16 record against Federer, he had a 29-31 record against Djokovic.

Nadal played some of the most important matches of his career against Federer and Djokovic and always gave his best on the court. 

“Well I think having completely different approach to the matches. I think with Roger [Federer] the match, I think that’s in my opinion that’s why the rivalry with Roger was a little bit more I mean attractive for the fans than Novak [Djokovic] against me. Even if I played more times against Novak,” Nadal said on Andy Roddick podcast.

The veteran Spaniard revealed that his strategy against Federer was clear and he wanted to attack the Swiss’ backhand.

“With Roger [Federer] I think the strategy was more clear…I was trying to kill his backhand all the time and even if I had the chance to play the shot down the line, I was saying to myself “Okay, I have to play the shot down the line, it’s only for two reasons: One is because I go for the winner or the other is because I need to put him away from that side to create more space.””- he said. 

Nadal played his swansong on the tour in 2024 when he represented Spain in the Davis Cup quarterfinals against the Netherlands. The leftie lost his final game against Botic van de Zandschulp.

Nadal won a total of 22 Grand Slams, including 14 Roland Garros titles in his glittering career. He was struggling with injuries and fitness in the last couple of years and thus decided to hang his boots.