'I’m used to these names' - Novak Djokovic reveals what changed after Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray retired
By Jonny Bray
Published 27/08/2025 at 10:34 GMT+1
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Novak Djokovic has revealed what changed for him after tennis legends Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray retired from the sport. Djokovic and his three rivals formed tennis' fabled 'Big Four', a quartet of stars who dominated the sport for two decades, winning a combined 69 Grand Slams. Djokovic is currently on the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam, with his last coming at the 2023 US Open.
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Novak Djokovic has revealed what changed after the other three members of tennis’ fabled ‘Big Four’ retired from the sport.
The former world No. 1 spoke ahead of his second-round clash with Zachary Svajda at the 2025 US Open, where the Serbian star is hoping to win a landmark 25th Grand Slam.
The ‘Big Four’ of Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray dominated the sport for the first two decades of the 21st century, winning a combined 69 Grand Slams.
Djokovic has revealed he has had to change his mentality in order to compete with a new generation of stars.
"When Federer and Nadal and Murray, my biggest rivals, retired, actually most recently in the last year or two, part of me left with them and I really feel that," the 24-time Grand Slam champion said.
"I thought it was not going to be difficult for me to kind of shift my attention in terms of who are my principal rivals on the tour from them to someone else.
"But it is tough because I’m used to these names, these guys, these faces for 20 years, and then new faces come in, and it’s normal, it's the evolution of our sport, and it’s normal that you have new generations that are kind of coming in and dominating the tour.
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"I’m experiencing something I have never experienced before, but that’s also fine.
"I’m trying to embrace this journey."
Djokovic is 15-and-a-half years older than his second-round opponent, and he was also 18-and-a-half years older than Learner Tien, who he beat in the first round.
The 38-year-old insists that despite being active on tour, he is eager to teach his younger rivals everything he can before he finally decides to hang up his racquet and call time on his illustrious career.
"I think what is very important to me personally and what I have expressed directly to all of my rivals currently today, the young guys who are going to be the carriers of tennis for the next decade, is that I’m here for them to share my experience even though it’s difficult because we’re facing each other," he added.
"But I still feel that in a way that’s also my role.
"It’s also my responsibility, and it’s also a great opportunity for me to do that, because it really fills my heart with joy that I’m able to convey my experiences, my knowledge, whatever I can from my journey to a new generation."
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Djokovic is currently level with Margaret Court as the player with the most Grand Slams ever, but he could still edge ahead of the Australian legend before retiring.
He has come close several times since claiming his 24th Slam at the US Open in 2023.
He reached the final of Wimbledon in 2024, but fell to a straight-sets defeat against Carlos Alcaraz.
The Olympic gold medalist was also able to reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon this year.
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