Having the opportunity to gather the three greatest tennis players in history in a room and let them free to say and tell each other whatever they want: all filmed by a camera and broadcast on television: Novak Djokovic would dream of a moment like this with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, as the 24-time Slam champion himself confided.
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"Imagine being a little fly on the wall while these conversations take place!" It was Nole who launched an idea that in the future could not only become reality, but also give life to something unique in its kind.
The Serbian champion expressed this wish; a wish that he would like to realize at the end of his career, to understand the reasons behind some choices and to know the way in which the two historic rivals have faced certain moments.
Nole believes that he was not initially accepted by Federer and Nadal because of the strong motivation he showed when he took his first steps on the major circuit. However, the respect between them has never been lacking, as he himself revealed during a long interview with GQ Italy.
"I don't get to meet them often. But the rivalry that existed between the three of us, I think, is eternal. It's something that has left an incredible mark and legacy in my sport. A mark that will last. I'm very proud and happy to have been part of that group. They have been an integral part of my success and the path I've taken on the court. The battles against them have strengthened me like nothing else in my career. That's for tennis.
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On a personal level, to be honest, the situation is up and down. I try to be respectful and friendly with them off the court, even though I wasn't accepted at the beginning, because I entered the court too sure of winning. An attitude that neither of us liked in the early days, especially because most of the players faced them without the same conviction.
Because of that, they probably distanced themselves even more from me. And that's okay. I accepted it. I understood the message: we are rivals and nothing else. To be honest, it's very difficult to be friends on Tour. If you're a big rival who's constantly competing and you're number one, two and three in the world, it's difficult to expect to be close, to go out to dinner together or on family trips," explained the Serbian champion, honestly.
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"I would actually like to connect with them more, on a deeper level. I really want to. I don't know if it will happen or not, I don't even know if they share the same desire or the same will. I do. I want to do it... and let's see, it depends on where life takes us or how everyone's situation evolves. We live in different countries, but I think tennis has brought us together a lot. It will probably bring us together again in some way.
I would like to have a drink or two with them to open up and talk about the things that bothered me, that bothered everyone about me! Or vice versa, whatever it is. Let's put it all out there. And I would also like to put them on edge to understand what they think, how they handle certain situations on the court, the pressures of the world that weigh on your shoulders when you're at the top of your game.
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I have some observations to make, because I have followed them closely, as they have followed me over the years. It is different, though, if they tell you in person. I hope that one day, in a really relaxed environment, there will be a chance to confide in each other and reflect together.
That would be great for us. But I think it would also send a great message to people who follow tennis and sports: Hey, three of us reunite," added Nole, revealing his future wish to share with Nadal and Federer.
