Rafael Nadal says that his gameplay tactics against Roger Federer were \u2018clearer\u2019 than those used against Novak Djokovic, with the latter being more surface dependent.<\/p>\n
The Spaniard \u2013 who decided to hang up his racket at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals after struggling to regain consistency post-left psoas surgery \u2013 formed part of the \u2018Big Three\u2019, alongside the Swiss and Serb.<\/p>\n
Combined, they collected 64 Grand Slams and 104 Masters 1000s, as well having held the top spot in the ATP rankings for 947 weeks (equivalent to over 18 years).<\/p>\n
Given their hard-fought rivalries, none of the three were quick to divulge their specific tactics during their careers \u2013 always seeking to gain an edge against the other.<\/p>\n
However, Nadal<\/a> gave a look into his tennis genius after being asked to compare the matchups against both Federer and Djokovic.<\/p>\n \u201cWith Federer, the plan was clear,\u201d Nadal told Spanish news outlet AS<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cEspecially at the beginning: pressure his backhand with high balls repeatedly until he stood still, waiting for the next shot, and then I could switch to his forehand.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was a mental effort for me, because I often saw the shot going the other way, but I knew that repeating it on the backhand would tire him mentally.<\/p>\n \u201cI didn\u2019t always feel like using that tactic, but it was the most feasible.\u201d<\/p>\n Indeed, the pair played on 40 occasions with Nadal leading 24-16, overall.<\/p>\n Arguably, their Wimbledon 2008 clash is the greatest tennis match in the history of the sport, being the scene of the Spaniard dethroning five-time defending champion Federer 9-7 in the fifth set.<\/p>\n The Swiss maestro opted to play alongside Nadal in a men\u2019s doubles contest during the last match of his professional career, at the 2022 Laver Cup in London.<\/p>\n Latest Tennis News<\/p>\n