Few players have beaten the trio of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. The ‘Big Three’ have surely maintained their hegemony in the sport for over a decade, and it’s hard to beat them all individually.
However, Marin Cilic is one of those players who has beaten them all, and recently revealed what is different about them. In a recent podcast, Marin Cilic revealed the special abilities of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer.
He also talked about his experience playing against the ‘Big Three’. “I would say, for example, that Rafa and Novak are quite similar in their intensity,” Cilic began. “They play each point as if it were a match point …
Roger is more focused on the change of pace, change of speed, relying a lot on his game on a quick game, great serve, great forehand, you know, just mixing the game and playing aggressive tennis. “
Cilic clearly appreciated Federer very much. He also said that Federer used to play really fast and athletic tennis, and that’s his strong point. “I will change the fast attribute to athletic tennis, very athletic, in terms of stepping on the court, reaching the net, being really, very fast.
His movements, his sharpness is incredible, ”said the 2014 US Open winner of the Swiss Maestro.
Cilic believes that one feels a lot of pressure playing against Djoker or Rafa.
He even cited an incident from the 2021 Australian Open final to back up his argument. “Novak and Rafa are the best in tennis that create pressure. For example, if you saw yesterday, the game with Medvedev.
Novak, from the first point, was putting pressure on Daniil and it’s constant pressure. You always feel like he’s putting pressure on you, ”added the Croatian player. Cilic also stressed that to beat the ‘Big Three’ you have to endure pressure for a long time.
“When you play Grand Slam matches against them, there are four hours, five hours to be able to match them. So, in my opinion, those are the things they are doing very well and also their skills, “he concluded.
Cilic has revealed a lot of amazing things that make the ‘Big Three’ truly amazing players. Can Cilic beat them all once again in a future Grand Slam?
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