Novak Djokovic discussed Carlos Alcaraz at the awards ceremony on Monday(Image: Teledeporte)

Novak Djokovic has suggested Roger Federer is not his greatest rival, giving the accolade to Rafa Nadal instead.

Speaking at the 2025 Laureus Sports Awards this week, the 24-time Grand Slam winner also expressed his desire to go head-to-head with Carlos Alcaraz at the Madrid Open, currently underway.

While discussing the recently retired Nadal at the ceremony, Djokovic rather bluntly made reference to the Spaniard being his most prominent on-court foe, conspicuously leaving out Federer from the conversation.

Despite the common perception of Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal as a triumvirate of tennis legends with intertwined legacies, Djokovic’s comments hint at a different personal perspective.

Nadal, 38, received the Laureus Sporting Icon Award on Monday, and Djokovic didn’t hold back in his praise for the Spanish titan.

“I remember extraordinary matches against Nadal, the biggest rival of my career,” he said, reports the Express. However, it was Alcaraz who received Djokovic’s highest commendation.

The two-time Madrid Open champion and Djokovic are in the same half of the draw at the ATP Masters 1000 event and are on a collision course for the semi-finals.

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are seen as three of the game’s best ever players(Image: Getty)

Djokovic is now eager for a rematch with Alcaraz after their semi-final clash in 2022, where Alcaraz emerged victorious. “After the loss to Alcaraz I hope to reach the semi-finals,” Djokovic said.

“I’m looking to reach my maximum level. He is a nice person, very good, with great values.” The seven-time Wimbledon champion then poured more praise on his young rival, saying: “His team, Juan Carlos Ferrer, his family… They are good people.

“That’s more important than anything else. He’s obviously an extraordinary champion. He is very young, he already has many titles and successes, but as a person, I like him, he always has a smile on his face.”

Alcaraz is heading to Madrid in top form after clinching the title at Monte-Carlo and making it to the final in Barcelona this month. Djokovic, on the other hand, is gearing up for his first appearance at the Madrid Open since his loss to the Spanish star in 2022.

Alcaraz has been praised by Novak Djokovic(Image: Getty)

Despite some doubts about his drive as he approaches the latter stages of his career, Djokovic has admitted that while he may not be the top pick for the title, he’s intent on delivering a strong performance at the tournament.

“If I’m not motivated, I’m not here, I don’t play anymore. I put the racket to rest,” he told Eurosport. “I still feel the desire to play, the passion to compete is always there.

“I always have very good feelings when I return to Madrid, to Spain. It’s a country I love very much. I’ve won the Madrid Open three times in my career, with extraordinary matches against Nadal and Alcaraz.”