‘Still grinding’ – Djokovic ‘proud of longevity’ ahead of 20th US Open campaign
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Federer and Nadal, alongside Djokovic, dominated the sport for more than a decade, with the trio winning 66 Grand Slam titles between them.
Dimitrov, 35, has not yet won a Grand Slam but has regularly reached the latter stages of major tournaments, losing to Nadal in the semi-finals of the 2017 Australian Open while also reaching the last four of Wimbledon and Flushing Meadows.
And the Bulgarian said he has keenly felt the absences of both Federer and Nadal.
“A part of me left tennis when Federer and Nadal retired. I know Novak feels the same way because I talked to him about it,” Dimitrov told Danish outlet SpilXperten.
“We reminded ourselves how exciting that era was, with all those challenges we had to overcome constantly.
“Having to face the three best players of all time almost every week was an incredible feeling. Today, it’s impossible for me to experience something similar.
“I don’t want to offend any player today but the big three era will always remain, for me, the greatest challenge a tennis player could face.”
Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have taken on the mantle in recent years, becoming the dominant forces in the men’s game.
Former world No. 3 Dimitrov, meanwhile, suggested he has lost some of his passion for the sport.
“I have to be honest. For a few years now, I have been very far removed from everything that happens on the ATP tour,” he added.
“I continue to play but I no longer care as much about everything that goes on in my sport and I am no longer really informed.
“My whole life has always revolved around tennis and it makes me a little sad to see that I don’t even know the majority of players who are still active.”
He added: “Age may just be a number but, in our sport, it has a great influence. It’s not just about what happens on the court but also the interactions with others at tournaments.”
Dimitrov has fallen to 128th in the ATP rankings and earlier this year failed to qualify for a Grand Slam for the first time since 2010 when he missed out on the French Open.
He was given a wildcard for Wimbledon, though, where he reminded fans of his talent with memorable wins over Jakub Mensik and Matteo Berrettini, before defeat to Brit Arthur Fery in a five-set classic on Centre Court.
Dimitrov has most recently been in action at the Davis Cup, beating Elmer Moller but losing to Holger Rune as Denmark got the better of Bulgaria.
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