Sam Querrey reveals who was ‘more intimidating’ to play against – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic
The formidable trio of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, also referred to as the Big Three, are considered to be among the greatest players of all time.
The trio of Federer, Djokovic and Nadal have dominated the men’s singles game now for almost two decades. They have won a ludicrous combined 66 Grand Slams.
During their careers, they’ve faced many formidable opponents, one of which was Sam Querrey.
Querrey who won 10 titles on the ATP Tour before retiring in 2022 was speaking on the “Nothing Major” podcast which he co-hosts with fellow retired American stars John Isner, Steve Johnson and Jack Sock when he stated which player that intimidated him the most out of the trio.
Sam Querrey says Rafael Nadal was more intimidating than Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic
Nadal who retired at the Davis Cup earlier this month won 22 Grand Slams including 14 French Open titles which in particular, had Querrey worried.
Querrey told Nothing Major Podcast: “I had that fear early in my career, especially on clay of losing 0 and 0. I was just begging like when draws came out, hoping please don’t draw Rafa first round of the French cause I will lose 0, 0 and 0.
“I played Roger second year on tour first round of the French and I lost like 4, 4 and 4 but you were never worried about Roger blowing you off the court. Rafa you were afraid of it early.
“He got more intimidating and more dominant obviously with time but the dude was just a machine.”
Querrey had previously spoken about Nadal, and how fearsome he was on the court. This further reinstates his point.
Querrey did manage to win one of his six matches against Nadal and twice defeated Djokovic in his career but lost in straight sets in all four matches he played against Federer.
Rafael Nadal’s ‘intimidation’ led to a change of look
When discussing their favourite Nadal memories, Johnson said the fear that the Spaniard gave him, let to him changing his facial look.
Johnson’s only meeting with Nadal occurred in the second round of the Madrid Masters in 2015 and before the match, Johnson shaved his entire mustache before going on court.
“There was a lot of fear in my eyes and not a lot in his eyes. It was my first big match against these guys and I was like I cannot be the guy who loses 6-0, 6-0 with a cheesy mustache out here.”
Isner added: “His fear of losing 0 and 0 was real cause he had the mustache going after the first round in Madrid so then he shaved it. I wanted him to wear it and I wanted him to lose 0 and 0.”
