In a candid reflection on the early stages of his career, Novak Djokovic has opened up about the challenges he faced during the era when Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were the undisputed leaders of men’s tennis. The Serbian superstar, who is now widely regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of the sport, discussed how the dominance of Federer and Nadal during the mid-2000s and early 2010s created an environment where it was “difficult” for other players to break into the elite ranks.
When Djokovic turned professional in the early 2000s, both Federer and Nadal were already firmly entrenched as the game’s top players. Federer, with his elegant play and unprecedented consistency, had begun to dominate the ATP Tour, while Nadal’s relentless, physical style was making waves, particularly on clay courts. Together, they were revolutionizing the sport, with Federer showcasing his brilliance in all aspects of the game and Nadal conquering the clay-court season year after year.
For a young Novak Djokovic, who was rising through the ranks with his own distinct playing style, the path to the top was not an easy one. It wasn’t just about beating other talented players—it was about going head-to-head with two of the greatest of all time, whose rivalry was already dominating the narrative of men’s tennis.
Reflecting on those early years, Djokovic revealed the psychological and competitive pressures he faced trying to break into the top two spots in the rankings. He admitted that during that period, there was “no room for a third player.” The tennis ecosystem was firmly structured around the Federer-Nadal rivalry, and as a result, any other player vying for a place at the top had to deal with a disproportionate amount of competition for a limited number of spots in the upper echelons of the game.
“In those years, it really felt like there was no room for a third player,” Djokovic said in a recent interview. “Federer and Nadal were dominating so much that they were almost the face of tennis. It was a constant challenge to break into that space.”
This sentiment is echoed in the statistics of the time. From 2004 to 2010, Federer and Nadal dominated Grand Slam titles, with the two players sharing the majority of the major titles. Djokovic, while emerging as a talented and dangerous player, found himself struggling to consistently compete with these two giants.
The mental side of the sport is often overlooked, but for Djokovic, it was a significant factor in his struggle to find his place in the hierarchy of the sport. He knew that in order to break the Federer-Nadal duopoly, he had to not only defeat them on the court, but also deal with the mental and emotional toll of constantly being considered the “third wheel” in the race for supremacy.
Djokovic’s breakthrough came in 2011, when he launched an astonishing year that saw him win three Grand Slam titles and achieve a career-high level of form. His success that season marked the beginning of his rise as a legitimate rival to Federer and Nadal, culminating in him capturing the World No. 1 ranking.
“Back then, it felt like there were two sides: Federer and Nadal, and then everyone else,” Djokovic explained. “But once I started winning, it was clear that there was a space for more than just two players at the top. I had to believe in myself, and eventually, I proved that it was possible to challenge them, not just for one tournament, but for every tournament.”
What followed was one of the most remarkable phases in modern tennis history. Djokovic’s breakthrough in 2011 set the tone for the years that followed. His unprecedented consistency, improved fitness, and tactical brilliance made him a formidable force on all surfaces. Between 2011 and 2021, Djokovic would go on to win 24 Grand Slam singles titles (as of 2024), moving past both Federer and Nadal in terms of major titles and further solidifying his place as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
His ability to compete with, and often outplay, both Federer and Nadal in their prime years is a testament to his resilience and mental fortitude. Djokovic, who had once struggled to find his place in the Federer-Nadal duopoly, had become a force that disrupted their dominance and redefined the men’s game.
Today, Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal are collectively known as the “Big Three,” a moniker that encapsulates their mutual dominance over the sport in the 21st century. However, it’s important to note that this dominance was not achieved overnight. It was a product of Djokovic’s persistence, his ability to adapt, and his willingness to challenge the status quo.
Though Federer and Nadal still remain legends of the sport, Djokovic’s ability to challenge and eventually surpass them in several key metrics—particularly Grand Slam titles—has cemented his place in tennis history as one of the best to ever play the game. His career has not just been about surpassing his contemporaries, but about taking tennis to new heights in terms of athleticism, fitness, and mental toughness.
The debate about who is the “greatest of all time” in tennis—whether it’s Federer, Nadal, or Djokovic—continues to rage on, with each player having their own unique legacy. However, one thing that is undeniable is that Djokovic’s rivalry with Federer and Nadal shaped an era of tennis that has never been seen before. It wasn’t just about breaking records or winning titles; it was about the mental and emotional battle for supremacy in a sport that has often been defined by individual greatness.
As Djokovic continues to compete at the highest levels of the sport, it’s clear that his journey has not only been about challenging the Federer-Nadal era—it’s been about setting a new standard for what it means to be a tennis champion in the 21st century.
In the end, the era of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic will be remembered as one of the greatest in the sport’s history, and Novak Djokovic’s claim that there was “no room for a third player” during the Federer-Nadal period underscores just how extraordinary his rise has been in the face of immense competition and expectations