Nadal reveals his special strategy to defeat Federer and Djokovic

Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Roger Federer have collectively shaped the world of tennis and continue to captivate fans despite being past their peak years.

One year after officially retiring from top-level tennis, Rafael Nadal has offered candid and profound reflections on his illustrious career — the journey that made him one of the greatest players in the history of the sport.

The professional career of the Spanish tennis player ended at the 2024 Davis Cup, leaving behind an impressive record of 22 Grand Slam titles and an irreplaceable legacy. Nadal is not only a symbol of Spanish tennis but also a familiar name even to those who do not regularly follow the sport.

For over a decade, Nadal was part of the "Big 3" alongside Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Three individuals, three distinct styles, yet together they created one of the most glorious eras in tennis history.

In an interview with Spain's AS newspaper, Nadal shared detailed insights into his strategy when facing Federer — his biggest rival during the early years of his career.

"Against Federer, the plan was very clear, especially at the start of the match: consistently hitting high topspin balls to his backhand until he was forced into a defensive position, then switching to his forehand.", Rafa explained. According to him, it was a significant mental challenge, requiring patience to repeatedly use a tactic he didn’t always enjoy but found most effective.

Before Djokovic’s rise, Federer and Nadal formed a dominant duo, sparking one of the most classic rivalries in sports history. Off the court, they always showed respect and friendliness, but on the court, they delivered top-level matches that contributed to their combined total of 42 Grand Slam titles.

Djokovic’s emergence disrupted that balance. The Serbian player currently holds 24 Grand Slam titles and continues to compete at the highest level. Speaking about Nole, Nadal admitted he is the most unpredictable opponent.

"On hard courts, especially in the later stages of my career when my physical condition wasn’t at its best, everything became extremely challenging.", he shared. Conversely, on clay and grass courts, Nadal feels he has more opportunities, although he still suffered some unfortunate defeats, including the five-set semifinal at Wimbledon 2018.

Currently, Djokovic is the only member of the "Big 3" still actively competing. Meanwhile, fans continue to talk about the possibility of an exhibition match between Federer and Nadal in the future. This idea has been mentioned by Nadal’s uncle and former coach Toni Nadal as well as Federer himself.

"I don’t think things will be the same as before, and I don’t expect that.", Nadal stated. "But if in the future we genuinely feel interested and can do something meaningful, why not? I don’t rule out picking up the racket again, but I need time and careful preparation. When you step on the court, you must be ready — and right now, I’m not in that state."