'Between rivals, friendship is not possible,' - Novak Djokovic opens up on his relationship with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal

Overview

• Novak Djokovic claimed that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are two of his great rivals
• The Serbian believed that there's no room for friendship when there's rivalry and added that he was never close to them 
• The 24-time Grand Slam winner claimed that he has mutual respect and admiration for both of his rivals and added that he never hated them

Novak Djokovic gave his opinion on the type of relationship he had with his fellow Tennis greats, Roger FedererandRafael Nadal. The 38-year-old felt there were some similarities with him and Nadal, like age and zodiac sign, which led to them having a dinner together about twice early in their careers.

The veteran added that there could never be a friendship with Nadal, given he was a rival. However, Djokovic added that he always had a respect and mutual admiration for the Spaniard. He went on to thank Nadal and Roger for helping him become the player he eventually did and felt it's that aspect which unites all of them.

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"Nadal is only a year older than me, we are both Geminis, at first we even went to dinner together, twice. But even with him, friendship is impossible. I have always respected and greatly admired him. Thanks to him and Federer, I grew up and became who I am. This will unite us forever, therefore, I feel gratitude towards them," Djokovic said Corriere Della Sera.

"In the last 15 years, I've seen more of him than my mum," - Novak Djokovic on Rafael Nadal

He also noted how integral Nadal has been a part of his life, claiming to have seen his face more than his mother's in the last 15 years. 

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"Nadal is a part of my life. In the last 15 years, I've seen more of him than my mum. We have never been friends. Between rivals, it is not possible, but we have never been enemies. I've always had respect for Federer, he was one of the greatest of all time. He had an extraordinary impact, but I’ve never been close to him," Djokovic added in his statement.