It was one of the most talked about interviews of 2025, with Novak Djokovic claims that Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer changed their behaviour towards him as he climbed the rankingsand began to threaten their long-standing dominance of men\u2019s tennis resurfacing in recent days.<\/p>\n
The Serb is currently preparing for his 22nd season as a professional player, with his first event of 2026 scheduled to be the ATP 250 in Adelaide from January 12\u201317.<\/p>\n
Djokovic<\/a> will then turn his attention to the Australian Open, where he will attempt to make further history by becoming the first player \u2013 \u00a0male or female \u2013 to win 25 Grand Slam titles.<\/p>\n While the world No 4 has made it clear that he intends to continue competing for several more years, his two great rivals have now both retired.<\/p>\n Nadal brought his career to an end at the Davis Cup Finals in November 2024, while Federer bowed out at the 2022 Laver Cup in London.<\/p>\n As Djokovic has previously hinted, his relationship with the two legends has evolved into something more reflective than their early rivalries. However, he has also argued that their attitude towards him shifted once he began to enjoy sustained success at the top of the sport.<\/p>\n \u201cMy behaviour towards them never changed,\u201d the 24-time Grand Slam champion stated during a conversation with former footballer and coach Slaven Bilic last June.<\/p>\n \u201cThe situation changed because they changed their behaviour towards me. I always tried to be, how to say, I admired them. And I still consider them as those who paved the way for me.<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially Federer, who is six years older than me. But from the moment I felt this coldness and distance from him, I told myself: \u2018Ok, no problem.\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cThen, when they reached out to me, I welcomed them with open arms.<\/p>\n \u201cWith Nadal, I always felt I understood him better. We are the same age, so maybe that\u2019s why.\u201d<\/p>\n By the time Djokovic captured his first Grand Slam title at the 2008 Australian Open, Federer had already amassed 13 majors, while Nadal had claimed three French Open crowns.<\/p>\n Federer also dominated their early head-to-head meetings, winning the first four encounters between the pair.<\/p>\n Their first meeting contained a heated moment in which the 20-time Grand Slam champion told the Serb\u2019s parents to \u2018shut up\u2019 after alleging that they had been talking during \u2013 and between \u2013 points.<\/p>\n Latest Tennis News<\/p>\n Former world No 4 suggests \u2018marmite\u2019 Nick Kyrgios will have \u2018regrets\u2019 about his career<\/a><\/p>\n