Novak Djokovic: ‘The generational change is natural’

The Big-3 has marked an entire generation on the ATP circuit. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have set a very high bar for the new figures who have not yet managed to snatch the big titles from them. One of those who have been closest is the Italian Matteo Berrettini, but between ‘Nole’ and Rafa they have been in charge of depriving him of his first Grand Slam award. Berrettini, 26 years old and current number 24 in the world, praised what has been achieved by the three best players in history and recognized that they serve as motivation to be able to get the best out of his potential. “It is impressive to see Djokovic’s motivation after everything he has achieved and the way he handles his body. He is quite out of the ordinary, like Nadal and Federer, but he is the one who is perhaps the furthest from what I am due to characteristics, that’s why I see him that way. Nadal is pure energy, a bull. When you are with him you feel the energy on you. When he tells you about something he’s done, whether it’s going fishing or golfing, it sounds like he’s explaining the Punic Wars. He is pure energy, ”said the powerful transalpine server. “Federer is a person who always has the right word and always the right state of mind for any environment and situation. Obviously, he is also elegant. Basically, he has very deep knowledge and great sensitivity,” he pointed out. In his confrontations against ‘Nole’, he has a record of 0 wins and 4 losses: against Nadal he is 0-2 and against Federer he ended 0-2. That is to say, he has a record of 0-8 against the members of the Big-3, that should be one of the points to be dealt with by the Italian.

Djokovic thanked his colleagues

Novak Djokovic equalled Steffi Graf’s record for the longest-reigning No. 1 in tennis history this week. “Thank you for the congratulations, I am extremely proud to have set another record, this time the record of Steffi Graf. I have [dedicated] everything in my life to this sport, I am lucky to have a great team of people around me and the unreserved support of my family on this journey,” he said. “The generational change is natural, thanks to [Alexander] Zverev and [Matteo] Berretini for their kind words, I appreciate the compliments of the rivals,” he said. “I have always tried to be fair with my colleagues and to talk. Those who play tennis at that level understand what is needed.”