Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer spoke to the ATP this week about their “thrilling” long-standing rivalry. The legendary pair have played each other 50 times, the second-most in the Open era, behind only Djokovic’s rivalry with Rafael Nadal. “I’ve played so many thrilling matches with him over the years,” Djokovic said. “Every time I step on court against him it’s thrilling, it’s very exciting because it kind of exceeds that match. It goes beyond the sport.” Federer’s rivalry with Nadal runs over a longer period and has frequently captured the public imagination. “Novak, obviously he can play on all the surfaces extremely well,” Federer said. “He always brings a certain level of play, which is extremely high, so to beat him you have to be at your best. He’s a great mover, and I have great coordination, so we match up well against each other.” Referring to their epic 2019 Wimbledon final, which the Serb won 7-6(5), 1-6, 7-6(4), 4-6, 13-12(3). Djokovic said, “It would probably be [in the] top two, top three matches I’ve ever played, this final against Roger. Probably the best, most exciting, and most demanding – both physically and mentally and in every aspect – matches that I ever played.” Despite losing that match, Federer acknowledged, “You do look back and you do appreciate the fight and the battle and the type of match.”
Source: TennisHead