Roger Federer: 'Rivalries are super important in sports'

Modern tennis is one of the few sports in which the same players have always dominated the past few years. This is because, being an individual discipline, it sees not only the most talented but also and above all those who can best withstand the pressure and are the most demanding ever with themselves. In this panorama, therefore, it is not surprising that in recent years Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have shared not only the prestige but also the victories of the main tournaments, such as the famous US Open, which is held in New York, in which the Spaniard has prevailed on four occasions and the Serbian on three in the last decade. Respectively born in 1986 and 1987, the two still seem to have in their bodies the necessary strength and motivation to continue to dominate the scene for a few more years. Now that Roger Federer, for many the greatest tennis player in history, is slowly abdicating also for a matter of age, the native of Mallorca and the native of Belgrade are competing for the top of the ATP ranking, the world body that organizes the men's tennis tournaments. It is no coincidence that Djokovic is currently at number one and Nadal is in second place in the aforementioned ranking, as if to claim their absolute preponderance in the era of modern tennis. And so, while the next few months will be aimed above all at preparing the next Australian Open, a tournament in which the Serbian is the great favorite to win according to the main tennis bets, the two rulers of this sport will try to relax in the best possible way at the their homes. On the one hand, Nadal will winter in his beloved Majorca, a sunny island where he also delights in playing golf, while Djokovic will stay in his Belgrade amid social and benefit events and other distracting activities. The goal of both, however, is to reach the best of 2021, with all the expectations of the case. Beyond the preparation for the Australian tournament, which has always been the favorite of the Serbian, who holds the all-time record of eight wins at Arthur Ashe in Melbourne, the season that starts next January could be decisive, especially for the Spaniard. During the latest ATP Uncovered episode, Novak Djokovic began by elaborating on the excitement he experiences every time he locks horns with Roger Federer. According to the Serb, their matches have the quality to transcend the very sport itself.

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on their rivalry

“I’ve played so many thrilling matches with Roger Federer over the years,” Novak 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.” Roger Federer on his part believes that rivalries are necessary in sport, and claimed that they help expand the viewership of tennis. “I think actually rivalries are super important in sports, I think it also makes the game more popular,” Federer said. “I think you always need somebody who you can have a good rivalry with,” Federer continued. “With me and with Djokovic, thank God I had them, I think we get the best out of one another.”

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3mpGSd8