Roger Federer has expressed his belief that the connection between himself and rivals Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray goes beyond tennis. According to the Swiss, it stems from the fact that they are all parents.
Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray, collectively known as the Big Four, dominated men’s tennis from 2008 to 2017. Murray’s individual achievements have been well short of those of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. Nonetheless, the quartet has won an astonishing 69 Majors between them.The Swiss retired in 2022, and the ongoing season is widely expected to be the last one on the ATP Tour for Nadal and Murray. Djokovic, meanwhile, continues to operate at the highest level, despite having suffered some notable upsets so far this year.
In a recent interview with EL PAIS Deportes, Federer acknowledged the rivalries between the four men’s tennis juggernauts. However, according to the 20-time Grand Slam winner, the fact that they are parents has given them common ground to engage in conversations with one another.
“I also believe that what really connects all of us, including Andy, is the fact of having been parents; Beyond all the games we have played and the rivalry, in that sense we have a lot in common and to talk about,” Federer told EL PAIS Deportes.
The former World No. 1 went on to say that this connection made his 2022 Laver Cup farewell all the more special.
“He (Djokovic) has two children, Andy has four and Rafa was then close to having his first [he would have it a month later]… It was beautiful to be able to experience all that as a family,” Federer added.
