No player in ATP history has claimed more Grand Slams than Federer’s 20.
While Nadal immediately broke onto the scene with a dramatic win at his first French Open appearance in 2005 and three more Roland Garros titles to follow in consecutive years, it wasn’t until 2008 where he truly began challenging Federer on other surfaces than clay.
By that point, the Swiss tennis legend had already racked up 12 Grand Slam titles.
The two would go on to compete in some of the most intense and memorable tennis matches ever, with their 2008 Wimbledon final clash seen as the greatest tennis match in history.
Since their rivalry began, 24 of their 39 encounters have come in finals and always prove box-office television for fans all across the world.
And it’s always seemed to be a respectful rivalry, with the two often praising one another and rarely losing their cool in intense matches.
But Federer has admitted in an interview with Simon Kuper of the Financial Times that he initially struggled with the idea of having to share the spotlight at the top of the sport with someone else.
“I would have loved to dominate forever,” he told Kuper.
“When Rafael and others were coming through, it took me some getting used to.”
He added: “At one point you tip your hat: you’re very good.
“I take joy after realising: you cannot just be alone at the top.
“You need rivals.
“I’m thankful to these guys, to make me a better player.”
While Federer’s initial dominance in the sport was brought to a halt by Nadal’s arrival, he was then presented with a new challenge though Djokovic’s emergence in 2011.
‘The Big Three’ enter Wimbledon this week as favourites once again having won 14 of the past 16 SW19 championships.
