“Federer, Nadal or Djokovic? Former number 3 reveals the biggest challenge and his GOAT.”

Ivan Ljubicic, former world number 3 and an iconic figure in tennis, did not hesitate to share his perspective on who he found to be his toughest opponent among the giants Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Throughout his career, which spanned from 1998 to 2012, Ljubicic had the opportunity to face each member of the famous “Big Three,” accumulating experiences that shaped his view of the game and the ongoing debate about the greatest of all time (GOAT).

With a record of 13 encounters against Federer, 9 against Nadal, and 9 against Djokovic, Ljubicic, who later became a coach for Federer, revealed fascinating details about each of them. Through his analysis, he not only highlighted the challenges he faced against these three titans but also reflected on the impact each had on tennis.

When asked who reached the highest level in terms of performance, Ljubicic began his analysis: “For everyone, it’s different. Because they were so distinct, each of the opponents had their own preference.”

Regarding Rafael Nadal, Ljubicic highlighted the feeling of comfort when playing against the Spaniard: “I felt like I had time. He stays very far back on the return, which allowed me to play my game, especially on my serves. Of course, I lost many more times than I won, but I beat him twice. I always felt that if I played well, I would have a chance. And since he doesn’t serve strong, we’re always involved in rallies. It’s tough, but I never feel like it’s impossible.”

In contrast, the experience against Roger Federer was described as a true rollercoaster of challenges: “Against Roger, it was complicated because he always did something different. I remember playing against him four times in three months at the beginning of 2005. It was always a different match. After losing, I would think: ‘Okay, now I know what I need to do.’ The battle in Rotterdam was intense, 7-6 in the third set for him, and I had my opportunities. It was a game of constant adaptation, as he was always better at what he did.”

Finally, Ljubicic spoke about his experience with Novak Djokovic, whom he considers the toughest opponent to face: “The last time I played against Novak was, I believe, in 2010. When Novak was in shape, he was perhaps the hardest for me because I relied heavily on my serve to win easy points. But with him, that wasn’t possible. He made the ball come back faster than my serve, and it was suffocating. He didn’t hit winners, but he pushed you from side to side, and you never had a clean shot.”

Regarding the eternal debate about who is the greatest of all time, Ljubicic did not shy away: “They are different. It’s really hard to say who is better. Obviously, Novak has won more, that is clear. But for me, the impact that Roger had on the game, as well as Rafa, at different times — is huge. Perhaps greater than Novak’s. But… what is the GOAT? If we go by results, clearly Novak is the one who has won the most. But the impact on the game that I feel Roger had, at least for me, was tremendous and still is.”

With this insightful analysis, Ljubicic not only clarifies his personal experiences but also offers a perspective on the complexity of greatness in sports, reinforcing the idea that each of the tennis giants has left an indelible mark on the history of the sport.