Sports · Tennis · 2 hrs ago
Djokovic says his relationship with Federer was mostly professional
Novak Djokovic said in Basel that his relationship with Roger Federer was mostly professional and built around rivalry.
The Serbian is back at the Swiss Indoors this week for his first appearance there since 2011.
Djokovic and Federer played 50 times between 2006 and 2020, with Federer winning 27 of those matches.
Djokovic said he has great respect for Federer and praised his contribution to tennis and the path he made for younger players.
Federer retired in 2022, while Djokovic, now 39, is still competing.
Djokovic has said he hopes to sit down with Federer and Rafael Nadal after his own retirement to look back on their careers, and Federer has said he would be open to it.
Djokovic confirmed he plans to play at the 2027 Australian Open, but has not decided whether to enter a tournament beforehand.
Novak Djokovic said his relationship with Roger Federer was mostly professional and that they had no off-court relationship during their playing rivalry.
Djokovic said he continues to respect and admire Federer and credited him with helping pave the way for younger players.
He made the comments while speaking in Basel ahead of his return to the Swiss Indoors, his first appearance there since 2011.
The two played each other 50 times between 2006 and 2020, with Federer leading their head-to-head record 27-23.
Federer has said he would be willing to meet Djokovic and Rafael Nadal to look back on their careers and rivalry.
- Who
- Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
- What
- Djokovic said their relationship was mostly professional and that they had no off-court relationship during their rivalry.
- When
- Djokovic made the comments in October 2026 while speaking in Basel.
- Where
- Basel, Switzerland.
- Why
- Djokovic was asked how his relationship with Federer had evolved over the years.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Djokovic and Federer played each other 50 times, with Federer winning 27 of their meetings.
Djokovic defeated Federer in the Swiss Indoors final in Basel.
Federer defeated Djokovic in the Swiss Indoors final.
Federer retired after competing at the Laver Cup.
Djokovic discussed his relationship with Federer ahead of his return to the Swiss Indoors.
- Head-to-head meetings
- 50
- Head-to-head record
- Federer led 27-23
- Swiss Indoors return
- Djokovic’s first appearance since 2011
- Swiss Indoors titles
- Djokovic won in 2009; Federer won in 2010
- Djokovic’s age
- 39
3 sources
What people are saying
Well, I mean, to be honest, it was almost always strictly professional
But we never had any kind of off-court relationship. It was really always: rivals. And that’s what it is, really.
If anyone deserves the Hall of Fame, it's him
Sure. Rivalries like that create a huge bond.