Decoding Djokovic, Federer, & Nadal’s Wimbledon Domination Against “Big 3” Rivals

The legendary “Big Three” of men’s tennis – Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal – have dominated the sport for two decades. Their rivalries have produced some of the most memorable matches in history, including those played on the hallowed grounds of Wimbledon. This article examines the head-to-head records of Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal against each other at Wimbledon, highlighting their wins, losses, and overall impact on the tournament.

A Deep Dive into Wimbledon Head-to-Heads

Wimbledon, with its iconic grass courts, has been a battleground where the Big Three have showcased their skills and determination. Here’s a breakdown of their head-to-head records against each other at this prestigious tournament:

Novak Djokovic

Djokovic has a strong record at Wimbledon against his Big Three rivals:

• Against Roger Federer: Djokovic has won all three of their Wimbledon finals.
• Against Rafael Nadal: Djokovic has won twice against Nadal at Wimbledon. In their 2007 semi-final match, Nadal won after Djokovic retired.

Djokovic’s overall Wimbledon record showcases his dominance, with 14 semi-final appearances, surpassing Roger Federer’s previous record. As of July 10, 2025, Djokovic is set to face Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals.

Roger Federer

Federer’s Wimbledon journey includes both triumphs and defeats against his greatest rivals:

• Against Novak Djokovic: Federer lost all three Wimbledon finals they played against each other.
• Against Rafael Nadal: Federer lost to Nadal in the epic 2008 Wimbledon final, considered one of the greatest matches of all time.

Federer holds the record for eight Wimbledon titles. He reached the final on four other occasions, losing to Nadal in 2008 and Djokovic in 2014, 2015 and 2019.

Rafael Nadal

Nadal’s encounters at Wimbledon against Federer and Djokovic have added to the tournament’s rich history:

• Against Roger Federer: Nadal defeated Federer in the 2008 Wimbledon final.
• Against Novak Djokovic: Nadal has lost twice to Djokovic at Wimbledon. He won their 2007 semi-final match after Djokovic retired.

Nadal won Wimbledon twice, in 2008 and 2010.

The Bigger Picture: Big Three Rivalries Beyond Wimbledon

The rivalries between the Big Three extend far beyond Wimbledon, encompassing Grand Slams, ATP Finals, and Masters 1000 events.

Overall Head-to-Head Records

• Djokovic vs. Nadal: Djokovic leads 30-29.
• Djokovic vs. Federer: Djokovic leads 27–23.
• Nadal vs. Federer: Nadal leads 24-16.

Djokovic holds a winning record against both Nadal and Federer. Nadal has a losing record against Djokovic (29-31) but a winning record against Federer (24-16). Federer has losing records against both Djokovic (23-27) and Nadal (16-24).

Grand Slam Titles

The Big Three have collectively won 66 major singles tournaments:

• Novak Djokovic: 24
• Rafael Nadal: 22
• Roger Federer: 20

Dominance on Different Surfaces

• Clay: Nadal has a 76% winning rate against Federer and Djokovic on clay.
• Hard Courts: Djokovic has a 62% winning percentage on hard courts against Nadal and Federer.
• Grass: Djokovic won four of his five grass finals against Nadal and Federer.

Records in Grand Slam Finals

• Nadal has the best winning percentage in Big Three matches at Grand Slams, winning 66%.
• Djokovic has the best combined record in Big Three finals, with a 59.6% winning percentage.
• Federer’s head-to-head record against his Big Three rivals at Grand Slams was not strong, winning just 10 of 31 matches.

Other Notable Statistics

• Djokovic has the most Masters titles with 40, while Nadal is second with 36.
• Federer holds the record for most Wimbledon titles with eight.
• Nadal is the only player to defeat Federer in the finals of three different Grand Slam tournaments and on three different surfaces.

The “Big Three” Legacy

The Big Three have left an indelible mark on tennis, with their incredible achievements and captivating rivalries. They have consistently topped the rankings and dominated major tournaments for nearly two decades.

Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal have been ranked as world No. 1 for a combined 947 weeks:

• Novak Djokovic: 428 weeks
• Roger Federer: 310 weeks
• Rafael Nadal: 209 weeks

Their influence extends beyond statistics, inspiring fans and players alike with their sportsmanship, dedication, and passion for the game. While Federer has retired, Djokovic and Nadal continue to compete at the highest level, adding new chapters to their legendary careers.