The tennis world has witnessed an incredible era dominated by the 'Big Three' - Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. These legendary players struck fear into their opponents for almost two decades, amassing an astonishing 66 Grand Slam titles and holding the top ranking for a combined 947 weeks. But which of these giants was the toughest to face on the court?
Former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis recently shared his insights, and his answer might surprise you.
The Unbeaten Challenger
In an exclusive interview with Tennis365, Baghdatis revealed that Novak Djokovic was his toughest opponent. Despite never beating Djokovic in their eight encounters, Baghdatis explained, "I would pick Novak Djokovic because I never beat him."
Their head-to-head record speaks volumes:
- 2015 Indian Wells: Djokovic wins 6-1, 6-3
- 2012 Miami Open: Djokovic wins 6-4, 6-4
- 2011 Swiss Indoors: Djokovic wins 2-6, 6-2, 6-3
- 2011 Wimbledon: Djokovic wins 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4
- 2010 Dubai: Djokovic wins 6-7, 6-3, 6-4
- 2009 Australian Open: Djokovic wins 6-1, 7-6, 6-7, 6-2
- 2007 Wimbledon: Djokovic wins 7-6, 7-6, 6-7, 4-6, 7-5
- 2007 Italian Open: Djokovic wins 6-2, 7-5
Baghdatis admitted, "It's very hard to pick. I think whenever I played Novak, they were pretty close matches."
But here's where it gets controversial...
Baghdatis recalled a particularly tough defeat at Indian Wells, where Djokovic handed him a 6-1, 6-2 beating. "I came off the court feeling like he gave me a lesson. I never felt that way against another player," he said.
Competitive Spirit
Interestingly, Baghdatis felt his matches against Nadal and Federer were more competitive. He explained, "I never felt that way with Roger or Rafa. Even when I was younger and played Roger, I always thought, 'Next time I can beat him.' I always felt that."
His head-to-head records against Nadal and Federer support this:
- Nadal: 1 win, 9 losses
- Federer: 1 win, 7 losses
The Cypriot Champion
Despite struggling against the Big Three, Baghdatis still achieved remarkable success. He won four ATP titles, reached a career-high ranking of eighth in the world, and qualified for a Grand Slam final, losing to Federer at the 2006 Australian Open.
To this day, Baghdatis holds the title of the greatest player in Cypriot tennis history, a legacy that continues to inspire.
So, what do you think? Was Djokovic truly the toughest opponent, or did Baghdatis' competitive spirit shine brighter against Nadal and Federer? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
