Federer, Nadal and Djokovic: martyrdom and partner one, scourge and "colleague" (nothing more) the other

After the entertaining decade of the nineties, dominated especially by the give and take of two other prodigies such as Pete Sampras (14 greats) and Andre Agassi (8) —interrupted by the interference of the Muster, Kafelnikov, Ríos, Moyà, Rafter or Kuerten—, Roger Federer began to exercise with an iron fist and mark an era that pointed to tyranny.

At the age of 20 he won his first title in a now extinct Milan tournament and that same year he beat his idolized Sampras on the grass at Wimbledon.

Later, in 2003 and at 21, he raised his first Grand Slam at La Catedral in what was heralded as the birth of a new era, the

.

So it was for a couple of years, until a stumbling block that he did not expect stood in his way and later another one was added that ended up turning the Swiss's soliloquy into the most fascinating historical career that is remembered in tennis.

Since he broke into the elite until 2005, the date on which Rafael Nadal fell like lightning, the one from Basel had taken over the circuit.

His mandate hardly admitted discussion, he raised a

after another – four to the first notch of the Majorcan at Roland Garros – and ruled from above without a possible alternative being guessed.

However, the Spaniard entered like a shot and began to capture his reign on clay, then redoubling the ordeal by also intruding on the territory of the hard court and in turn on the grass, terrain that seemed exclusive preserve of Federer .

Suddenly, the landscape had changed, although the Swiss managed to contain the onslaught until 2008, when the hegemony led to a one-on-one with Nadal and, in parallel, the fierce three-way battle with the Serbian Novak Djokovic.

More information

Federer, the other dimension of tennis, retires at 41

Until that year, Federer collected 11 greats, but Nadal's final martyrdom was born and later Nole would be added.

With completely antagonistic game codes, based on physical exuberance, dynamic brilliance and a high and revolutionized ball that wreaked havoc on his one-handed backhand, the man from Manacor gained space by bites and led his rival into a mental alley.

He guessed

.

That year, Federer lost against him in the finals of Roland Garros and Wimbledon -he is considered one of the best of all time, if not the best-, and the following season he could not hold back the tears after losing in the Australian Open , then a bare-chested revelation witness.

“

(God, this is killing me)”, he exposed during the final ceremony.

From there, Federer went to work on how to deal with Nadal's powerful

, which he has beaten 16 times and bowed to 24. He was his biggest punishment, but in any case, the volume of the Swiss's career and his dimension as a tennis player can only be understood from this rivalry as attractive as it is long-lasting.

And vice versa, exactly the same.

Two different styles, two different personalities, two different languages;

the gentleman from Switzerland who didn't get dirty in front of the village boy who enjoyed going down into the mud and popping the seams of his companion.

The perfect duo.

The best possible propaganda for tennis, which has risen to a new dimension.

Respect... and cracks

“Dear Roger, my friend and rival.

He wishes this day had never come.

It's sad for me and for the sport.

It has been a pleasure, an honor and a privilege to share all these years with you, to live so many extraordinary moments on and off the court”, Nadal, 36, dedicated yesterday;

“We will have many more moments to share together in the future, there are still many things to do together, we know that.

For now I really wish you all the happiness with your wife, Mirka, your children, your family and that you enjoy what awaits you.

Federer and Djokovic, before meeting two years ago in Melbourne.ISSEI KATO (Reuters)

Between the two there has always been a relationship of cordiality and friendship;

not close, but close.

Also, as in any alliance, fissures have emerged.

During the mandate of both of the ATP Players Council —to mediate between professional tennis players and the rector of the men's circuit— differences were perceived when interpreting certain matters and, on some occasions, the Spanish (vice president) considered that the In some way, the highest instance granted a favorable treatment to the Swiss (president).

Disagreements led the Spaniard to resign from office, but they have always professed mutual respect and both have been aware that by getting along, they all won: one, the other and tennis.

"I wouldn't go out to dinner with him"

In the relationship with Djokovic, on the other hand, Federer always kept a much greater distance.

Although they have kept up appearances from the outside, the cold prevails between the two.

Or the heat, depending on how you look at it.

In 2006 the sparks already flew as a result of a duel between Nole and Stan Wawrinka during a pulse between Switzerland and Serbia in the Davis Cup.

"I don't trust his injuries," the Basel player reproached him.

“We respect each other.

We are not friends, but we are colleagues.

We will not go to dinner together because it is difficult to be friends with a rival with whom you compete”, admitted in his day the one from Belgrade, who rules in the face-to-face (27-23).

“As much as he is a great champion, Federer is not such a good man.

He 15 years ago he attacked my son when he was still young.

I knew that someone better than him was coming, ”Djokovic's father, the fluent Srdjan, charged last year.

The extension of him, the speaker of him.

This Thursday, at the time of goodbye, the Balkan kept silent.

Meanwhile, Federer opted for good manners although he did not make a direct reference to Nole: “I want to thank my rivals.

I have been very lucky to play many epic matches that I will never forget.

We fight fairly, with passion and intensity.

I always gave my maximum to respect the history of tennis.

I feel extremely grateful.

We push each other and together we take tennis to new levels.”

You can follow EL PAÍS Deportes on

Subscribe to continue reading

read without limits

Keep reading

I'm already a subscriber