Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are long-term rivals but it seems their relationship off the court is getting better with age as the trio now share a WhatsApp group.
The Big Three have not always seen eye-to-eye, especially when it comes to tennis politics.
Djokovic heads up the player council which made a number of controversial decisions last year leading to Federer and Nadal rejoining the group after a string of resignations.
But since then the trio appear to get on well and it has not come to light that they all share a WhatsApp group for regular contact.
“WhatsApp group? Yeah we do,” Djokovic revealed in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.
“We are all active and we are not active. When we are not active we are not active. When we are everybody responds.
“We get along very well. There is a tremendous respect for each other privately and also professionally.
“As long as this is the case everybody benefits from that, also the sport.”
Djokovic is in action in the Middle East this week but he will not be joined by second seed Federer as the Swiss star is ruled out through injury.
Federer underwent knee surgery last week and will spend three months sidelined with the issue.
READ MORE
-
Roger Federer’s former coach delivers Wimbledon prediction
At 38 years old going under the knife can risk bringing forward any retirement plans.
But Djokovic has pleaded with his rival to return to action as soon as possible.
“It was a surprise, to be honest,” Djokovic said.
“I knew he was struggling with an injury in the Australian Open. But no one knew really what was the injury, what is the extent of that injury.
“I really don’t like to see anybody going through surgery. I’ve been through that once, and hopefully the last time in my life.
“Roger is Roger – this sport needs him.”
Meanwhile, Nadal is hoping to win the Mexican Open this week and he gets his campaign underway against fellow Spaniard Pablo Andujar tomorrow.
Source: Read Full Article