Nikolay Davydenko sheds light on Big 3 longevity, says Novak Djokovic is trying to cheat nature

Former tennis player Nikolay Davydenko has opened up on the Big 3 – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic’s longevity. The former World No. 3 feels injuries are always part and parcel of the game and it is not possible for players to have injury-free careers given the hectic ATP schedule.

Roger Federer retired from the game in September 2022 at the Laver Cup after having a knee injury. Rafael Nadal, on the other hand, recently retired from the game after struggling with multiple injuries throughout his glorious career.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic is still going strongly at the top level despite turning 37. However, Djokovic could not win a single slam in 2024 and went without a Major in a year for the first time in seven years.

The former Russian player said on Match TV, “Nadal was not even 40 years old and he couldn’t physically fight with top 50 professionals of the same level. It’s useless. Federer at 40 tried to show that he was tough, but he didn’t prove anything. Djokovic is doing the same now, he’s trying to show that age doesn’t matter to him.”

“Novak tries to cheat nature, but he can only do it for a couple of years. We are not robots. The loads are serious, injuries happen. Let’s take any current tennis player as an example: they all had, have or will have health problems. They all end their career because of injuries that limit us in our training,” Davydenko said.

Davydenko reckons Novak Djokovic is trying to break Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s longevity record by still playing at the top level.

He’s trying to cheat nature. Let’s see if he can do it. Maybe he wants to break Federer and Nadal’s record for the longest career. Roger finished at 41, maybe Novak wants to get to that age. Maybe he’ll play fewer tournaments.”

Djokovic has teamed up with Andy Murray as his new coach.