Medvedev's later elimination guaranteed a new champion (which would be Carlos Alcaraz), making this the 13th time that a major would feature a new champion since Federer's first Wimbledon title in 2003, and the third consecutive year that the US Open would feature a new champion. Djokovic also reached the semifinals without losing a set, but was beaten in five sets by Dominic Thiem in a match that was spread over two days due to rain. [112] Murray and Federer shared the two North American hard-court Masters titles, at Montreal and Cincinnati respectively, with Djokovic being the losing finalist on both occasions. Nadal suffered his worst European clay-court season in a decade, failing to win a single title and appearing in just one final, whereas Djokovic and Murray entered the second Grand Slam event of the year unbeaten on clay. However, given Murray's injury-ridden exit from the tennis elite after his 2016 triumphs, and the Big Three's continued dominance through year-end 2019, the "Big Four" label has been increasingly confined to the 20082017 period. Djokovic, on the other hand, defeated Kei Nishikori to make his eighth US Open final, where he beat del Potro for his 14th major title. The Brit defeated the Spaniard in straight sets in the final of the 2015 edition and the semifinals of the 2016 edition. Holding the advantage at 27-23 in over 50 battles, the six-time year-end World No. 1, has been No. Nonetheless, FedererNadal remained the lead rivalry, as the pair met in the finals of both the French Open and Wimbledon. Nadal and Djokovic dominated the 2013 season. At 2018 Wimbledon, Federer lost to Kevin Anderson in the quarterfinals despite holding a two-sets-to-love lead and holding a match point in the third set, having suffered a hand injury at the start of the grass season. Following his victory, he decided not to play in Cincinnati once again. At the Laver Cup, Federer, Djokovic, Nadal and Murray Make Team Europe Andy Murray is one of the undisputed legends of the game. 1 since Nadal beat Roger Federer in the 2005 French Open semifinals on his 19th birthday. 1 by winning the Australian Open, defeating Murray in the final, but his run of 23 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals came to an end at the French Open when he lost to Robin Sderling in the fourth round. Tennishead.net is now the world's most visited tennis news website, Tennishead magazine is the world's favourite tennis publication and the Tennishead CLUB is our ground breaking virtual tennis community. At the US Open, Djokovic beat Federer in the semifinals to reach his third major final, but lost to Nadal, who went on to complete the Career Grand Slam. [137], The 2022 Wimbledon Championships marked the event's first edition since 1998 in which Federer did not compete. Thats amazing for me. Nadal won his eleventh title in Monte Carlo, then claimed an 11th Barcelona title, winning both without dropping a set. Maybe what we are learning is the sheer physical effort required to compete with the big three. [91] Milos Raonic, who reached the semifinals at Wimbledon, suggested a "human side" was visible in the Big Four, which was giving players belief when facing them. He failed to notch up wins against the Serb in the other two encounters that the two were part of in 2010 and 2011 at the US Open and Miami Masters respectively. At the start of 2018, Murray underwent hip surgery for the injury that had sidelined him since the previous summer. [64] Nadal and Federer lost early at Wimbledon, thus ending Federer's record streak of 36 consecutive major quarterfinals. [4], The Big Four was used to describe the larger quartet of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Andy Murray from about 2008 to 2017, though the term is occasionally still used when referring to the group in that period. 1 ranking, all since 2012, saw him listed more comfortably alongside the other three members during the mid-2010s. Federer was also the silver medalist at the Olympics, where Djokovic finished fourth. 1 for 18 years or was in the top 2 for nearly 16 years. If not for his severe knee injury, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga would have enjoyed a completely different career. 2, while Djokovic, who lost in the quarterfinals, fell to world No. James Blake won his first three matches against the Spaniard before losing the next four. The two legends have met in three Wimbledon . Djokovic's 2016 Australian Open victory was especially impressive, as he came back from a two-set . Interestingly, the 37-year-old is only a Wimbledon title away from completing the career slam. Jon Wertheim. The only player to clinch the no.1 spot in the Federer-Nadala-Djokovic era. With five, Federer has recorded most bagels against all three of his peers, while receiving only one. Rafael Nadal won his first ATP Tour match aged 15 in April 2002,[20] and he defeated Federer in their first meeting at the 2004 Miami Open.[21]. However, his overall record really does set him apart as true heir-apparent to the ATP throne. Relief is probably the word I would use describe how Im feeling just now., He added, Mentally, the last three, four days have been pretty tiring. That too. However, there are a few players who have a winning record against him. The Frenchman's first win came in the semifinals of the 2010 Paris Masters, which was followed by another at the 2013 Shanghai Open. After winning the 2016 French Open, Djokovic came to within 2 titles of Nadal (14 vs. 12), but over the next two years, Nadal and Federer extended their lead over Djokovic again; following the 2018 French Open, Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic had 20, 17, and 12 titles, respectively. In 2017, Nadal had his best year since 2013, winning two majors and four other titles. [5][6][7] They have been a critical part of what has been labelled a new "Golden Era" in tennis.[8][9][10][11]. 3 players who have beaten Novak Djokovic the highest number of times in Nalbandian became the first player to defeat Nadal, Djokovic and Federer in the same tournament, doing so to win his first Masters 1000 title. Having said that, Dominic Thiem has lost some important matches against the Fab 3, as he was beaten by Nadal in two French Open finals and by Djokovic in the Australian Open. [108] Djokovic emerged victorious over Murray in a five-set match that was spread over two days[109] but succumbed to Wawrinka in the final in four sets. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic all have credible claims to be considered the best. Federer, however, went on to defend his title in a five-set final against Marin ili, thus equaling Djokovic and Roy Emerson's record of six Australian Open titles, and becoming the first man to win 20 major titles. 1 after winning the Australian Open in 2004. On his day, though, Del Potro was feared, even by the big guns. By reaching the final, Djokovic also clinched the year-end No. Between 2005 Australian Open and 2014 Australian Open, this was the only major not won by a member of the Big Four. It's definitely good times. Feb 11, 2023 #107 TheNachoMan said: Nadal's only had one 3 slam season. 1 and No. I cried a little bit on the court. [174], Murray's three Majors, two Olympic Games victories, ATP Finals, Masters titles and his success in reaching the world no. The Slovak managed to beat Rafael Nadal three times in a row. Many young players who rise up the ranks nowadays point to either of . As a result, upon reaching the Paris final, Murray gained the number-one ranking, ending Djokovic's 122 consecutive weeks at the top. Nadal finally got one back by defeating Hrbaty at the 2005 Barcelona Open. Following his back surgery at the end of 2013, Murray struggled to return to form in the first half of the year, reaching only two semifinals and losing to Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets in the quarterfinals while attempting to defend his Wimbledon title, a defeat which saw him fall to No. Federer is the greatest grass court player and he will prove a more formidable challenge for . He also became the first British winner in singles sinceVirginia Wadewon the womens event in1977. Still, the Australian still generally got the job done against them. Nadal withdrew from Wimbledon due to scheduling reasons. But the crowd and the fans helped me a lot until the last point., He added, I just want to live this moment. The rivalry started in 2006 with Federer winning the first four meetings, but following Djokovic's first win at the 2007 Canadian Open, the rivalry became mostly even through to its conclusion in 2020. The former World No. Federer was the first to come to prominence after winning Wimbledon in 2003, and became the world No. With a combined total of 149 matches played, the Big Three have played many notable matches against each other. Taking nothing from Australia, Hewitt did have a bit of an upper hand against the young Federer and Nadal. Now it is surely a huge achievement to defeat Nadal, Federer and Djokovic in ones career. Tomas Berdych had a career to cherish. Djokovic lost in the final to Daniil Medvedev, preventing him from winning a record 21 majors and achieving a Grand Slam, which would have been the first in men's tennis since Rod Laver in 1969. Baghdatis had a slightly better record against Roger Federer, winning at the 2010 Indian Wells Open. From 2007, Djokovic and Murray increasingly challenged Federer and Nadal's dominance with consistency. Not many in the world can get the better of Federer a total of 6 times. Federer, however, won the title without dropping a set by beating Marin ili in the final. Answer: One the same day? Murray beat Federer in a five-set semifinal match, meaning all four members of the Big Four had beaten each other at least once at a major, but he lost to Djokovic in the final. [61][62] Nadal returned for the clay-court season, winning five events before becoming the only man to win a major eight times by taking the French Open, defeating Djokovic in an epic semifinal clash en route. Lleyton Hewitt, Tommy Haas and Djokovic are the only players to have beaten Federer more than once with the latter claiming wins at Wimbledon in 2014, 2015 and 2019. [43] At the US Open, Murray was upset in the fourth round by Marin ili, while Djokovic reached his first Grand Slam semifinal of the season, losing in straight sets to Federer. Madrid Memories: When Nalbandian Beat Nadal, Djokovic & Federer! - ATP Tour Alexander Zverev's sole victory over Rafael Nadal on clay came in the 2021 Madrid Masters, when he upset the 21-time Grand Slam champion in the quarterfinals. Nadal lost the bronze medal match to Kei Nishikori but won gold in the men's doubles event. This was the only time that he beat the Spaniard in nine matches. [citation needed]. The GOAT debate has increasingly become centered around Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, as the trio have made themselves a part of tennis history with their continued dominance. It will be safe to say that Dominic Thiem is the closest tennis player who comes to the Fab 3. Djokovic entered the season as the world No. Berdych was a Wimbledon finalist and world number four at his peak, so he always had the respect of the tour, and especially the big three. Roger Federer debate: Is he still in the Big Three? - Sports Illustrated He then withdrew from the tournament before his semifinal encounter against Nick Kyrgios,[138] the latter of whom then advanced to his first major final. [30] Djokovic went on to defeat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (who had eliminated Nadal in the semifinals) to win his first major. No one denied them more. [citation needed], Federer did not participate at the French Open. Maria Sharapova on how to build strong brand: Be smart with people you align with, ATP Dubai: In-form Daniil Medvedev wins third title in three weeks, Rafael Nadal doesn't know when he'll be back, but we do: at the Roland Garros, Alexander Zverev felt 'confident' he could beat Rafael Nadal before horror injury, Andrey Rublev: You need to have perfect day against Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic. Coric also registered two wins against Roger Federer, at the Halle Open and the Shanghai Masters. Next to them is Pete Sampras, who has won a total of 14 grand slams, mind the gap. French Open: Rafael Nadal beats Novak Djokovic to win 13th Roland Four Times Federer Crushed Nadal & Djokovic - YouTube By reaching this great milestone, the GOAT debate has ignited . I dont know how Im going to feel if I win a second one or third one. Djokovic was defeated by Karen Khachanov in the final. However, Murray features in the top ten on a number of Open Era records, including in quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals reached at the Majors, and is to date the only person in history to have won two gold medals in singles at the Olympic Games, and only the second player in the Open Era (after Andre Agassi), to have won a Grand Slam singles event, an ATP Finals, an ATP Masters, and an Olympic singles gold, as well as reach world No. Roger Federer VS Novak Djokovic | Head 2 Head - ATP Tour Never expect to be that far in my career. One of those players is Roger Federer. ", "Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer in Indian Wells final", "Andy Murray beats Rafael Nadal to win Madrid Masters final", "Magical Murray defeats Rafael Nadal to win Madrid title", "Novak Djokovic holds off Andy Murray in five sets to reach French Open final", "Stan Wawrinka stuns Novak Djokovic to win French Open", "Wimbledon 2015: Roger Federer beats Andy Murray", "Federer Foils Djokovic For Seventh Cincy Crown", "US Open 2015: Novak Djokovic beats Roger Federer in final", "Roger Federer to miss Rio 2016 Olympics and rest of season with knee injury", "Rio Olympics 2016: Novak Djokovic beaten by Juan Martn del Potro in first round", "Rio Olympics 2016: Andy Murray wins tennis gold for Great Britain", "Wimbledon 2017: Andy Murray top seed ahead of Djokovic, Federer & Nadal", "Tennis rankings: Big Four the ATP top four again; Johanna Konta hits career-high of fourth in WTA list", "Novak Djokovic: Twelve-time Grand Slam champion will not play again in 2017", "Andy Murray: World number two 'most likely' to miss rest of season with hip injury", "Rafael Nadal beats Stefanos Tsitsipas to win 11th Barcelona Open title", "Federer reveals long-standing hand injury", "ATP Finals: Alexander Zverev advances to semis; Rafael Nadal finishes year as World No. Fish failed to find the winning touch against Novak Djokovic, losing to the Serb seven times in total. A couple of rare wins interspersed with 14 defeats; the Frenchman's record against Nadal tells its own tale. At 2019. Federer finished the year at world No. The 35-year-old tennis player has recently broken Steff Graf's all-time record for spending the most number of weeks as world number one. 3, Djokovic's 2011", "After putting on 'couch potato' weight in retirement, Pete Sampras is fit again and playing competitively", "Djokovic's 2011 season: the greatest of all time? After winning the title Daniil said, You never know if youre going to achieve [winning a major] in your career. After defeating the top seed, the German went on to win the tournament to notch up his fourth Masters 1000 title. [117] Del Potro went on to defeat Nadal in an epic semifinal to set up a final meeting with Murray.