On the "Served with Andy Roddick" podcast, tennis legend Rafael Nadal sits down with the former US Open champion for an insightful and open conversation. Over the course of an hour, Nadal covers a lot of ground with Roddick, and the entire interview is nothing short of fascinating.
Things get particularly interesting when Nadal delves into stories about his biggest rivals, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. We’ve rarely heard Nadal discuss the intricacies of his game at this level of detail, primarily because during his career, he was cautious not to reveal too much about his strategies.
Now, with his professional days behind him, Nadal opens up about his experiences facing these two formidable opponents during one of the most iconic eras in tennis history.
If you’re interested in hearing the full interview, you can check out the episode here:
For those who want a quick glimpse, we’ve transcribed some captivating segments from the discussion:
Nadal on Why the Federer-Nadal Rivalry Captivated Fans More than Djokovic-Nadal:
"In my view, the rivalry with Roger was somewhat more engaging for fans compared to my matches with Novak, even though I played Novak more frequently, including many significant matches. The strategy with Roger was clearer."
Nadal on the Federer vs. Nadal Tactics:
"My approach was often to target his backhand, and if I had the chance for a shot down the line, it was either to score a winner or to open up the court. Roger, on the other hand, aimed to play aggressively. Every time he hit his forehand, I felt compelled to step back, since his forehand was the best I had faced. It was like a chess game where everyone knew the strategies, and whichever of us executed better on a given day would win. Earlier in my career, I dominated him on clay, but it was tougher on hard courts."
Nadal on Why 2017 Federer Was His Toughest Opponent:
"As time went on, I managed to beat him on hard courts occasionally. Near the end of his career, he evolved by playing more aggressively. Initially, his reliance on topspin backhands played to my strengths, but later, he took greater risks. In 2017, I believe Federer reached one of his peaks. On hard courts, particularly, he was challenging to play against due to his aggressive style and unpredictable serve."
Nadal on What Made the Djokovic Rivalry Unique:
"Facing Novak was different. While strategies were still important, it boiled down to my performance level. Our playing styles were distinct, unlike against Roger. With Novak, I often had to adjust and adapt my game."
Nadal on Djokovic’s Exceptional Ball Control:
"I couldn’t easily target his backhand with high balls, as he would quickly counter them. Using slice shots helped at times, and playing to the middle minimized angles for him. If you didn’t do significant damage with your shots, he would turn the tables and open up the court. When it comes to ball control, Novak is unmatched in my experience and possibly the best I’ve ever seen."
These insights from Nadal offer a unique perspective on what it was like to compete against two of the sport’s greatest players.
