World No. 1 Novak Djokovic says being successful while playing in the same era as Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal makes his success even more sweeter to him. Djokovic, Federer and Nadal are considered as the three greatest players in tennis history and the Big Three are often credited for elevating the game to another level.
Nadal is the record 21-time Grand Slam champion, while Djokovic and Federer are tied on the second place with 20 Majors. Djokovic, 35, owns the record for the most weeks spent at the top spot. “Being number one was always the highest goal coming into the season, success is even bigger by playing in the era with Federer and Nadal,” Djokovic said, per Sasa Ozmo.
#Djokovic: Being number one was always the highest goal coming into the season, success is even bigger by playing in the era with Federer and Nadal. #RolandGarros — Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) May 29, 2022
Djokovic on winning Roland Garros
In 2016, Djokovic defeated Andy Murray in the final to win his first French Open title and complete a Career Grand Slam.
“It took me years and years to win the title at Roland Garros, many heartbreaks. When I won in 2016, it was a huge relief. This is probably the hardest Slam for me, last year the last seven days were the toughest in my Slam career,” Djokovic admitted.
#Djokovic: It took me years and years to win the title at #RolandGarrosmany heartbreaks. When I won in 2016, it was a huge relief. This is probably the hardest Slam for me, last year the last seven days were the toughest in my Slam career.
— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) May 29, 2022
Last year, Djokovic broke Federer’s all-time record for most weeks spent at the top spot. “In order to be the number one, you need to play well eleven months, be consistent and defend points, feel that pressure over and over again.
It’s Mount Everest in tennis, particularly in this generation,” Djokovic noted.
#Djokovic: In order to be the number one, you need to play well eleven points, be consistent and defend points, feel that pressure over and over again.
It’s Mont Everest in tennis, particularly in this generation. #RolandGarros — Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) May 29, 2022
Also, Djokovic explained how scheduling works in tennis. Djokovic has nothing against playing night sessions at Roland Garros, while Nadal doesn’t like playing at night in Paris.
“As top players, we do have requests, but those requests are not always accepted. The tournament director, with TV, broadcasters, that’s who decides. You know, TV, whether they want your match, day or night,” Djokovic explained.
Djokovic on when his quarter final (vs. Nadal) should happen : “As top players, we do have requests, but those requests are not always accepted. The tournament director, with TV, broadcasters, that’s who decides. You know, TV, whether they want your match, day or night.”
— Tennis Majors (@Tennis_Majors) May 29, 2022