Who is your second favorite of the Big 3?

Well?

  • I’m Federer fan - prefer Nadal

    Votes: 33 23.9%
  • I’m Federer fan - prefer Djokovic

    Votes: 35 25.4%
  • I’m a Nadal fan - prefer Federer

    Votes: 18 13.0%
  • I’m a Nadal fan - prefer Djokovic

    Votes: 12 8.7%
  • I’m a Djokovic fan - prefer Federer

    Votes: 17 12.3%
  • I’m a Djokovic fan - prefer Nadal

    Votes: 23 16.7%

  • Total voters
    138

Fedforever

Hall of Fame
I would have said I liked Djoko better but over the last couple of years the paranoid subsection of his fanbase has made it really hard to enjoy his wins.

Plus Fed and Nadal clearly have a bond of some sort whereas neither seem wildly keen on Novak. So I guess it's logical for me to go along with Fed.

But I certanly don't hate either of them.
 

Fedforever

Hall of Fame
his rabid fans have really turned me against him these last few years, and even that would be putting it mildly.
Seeing the condescending and obnoxious behavior of some of his fans has had its impact recently
I liked Djokovic more in the past, but for me his fanbase is terrible. All fanbases are bad, and I know it is not his fault, but it is what it is
I would have said I liked Djoko better but over the last couple of years the paranoid subsection of his fanbase has made it really hard to enjoy his wins.

It's really sad that this happens. I don't think it actually makes you dislike the player, you just have the knowledge that their victory makes obnoxious people happy and it gets spoilt..
.
 

ChrisRF

Legend
I have no clear preference between Nadal and Djokovic. But watching a match between them I like most in tennis after watching a Federer match. I just want to see an endless battle of grueling rallyes and unexpected comebacks.

Normally I rather root for the player who is the underdog on a surface, which means for Djokovic at RG and for Nadal in Australia or Wimbledon.
 
B

BrokenGears

Guest
Nadal. Fed's play is beautiful but watching him at times is incredibly boring
 
D

Deleted member 763024

Guest
Fed fan here.

I prefer Nadal's gamestyle over Djokovic overall. Novak has some really good shots too, but overall comes off as way too defensive & monotonic for me.

Neither of them are '2nd favorite' for me behind Roger. Just rivals worthy of respect.
 

Ann

Hall of Fame
Nadal is my 2nd favorite, when Fed's not playing I always root loudly for the Nadal. After that it's Del Potro, Wawrinka, Isner, Anderson and just about anyone else before Djoker --- but mostly because of his fans.
 

Sysyphus

Talk Tennis Guru
big and blatant and unabashed fraudster here, and I prefer Novak 'The Gladiator' Djokovic and always have.

7884055650_ef23f5c297_o.gif
 

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
Fed fan here.

I prefer Nadal's gamestyle over Djokovic overall. Novak has some really good shots too, but overall comes off as way too defensive & monotonic for me.

Neither of them are '2nd favorite' for me behind Roger. Just rivals worthy of respect.
When I'm not a Djokovic fan, I'm a Nadal fan. He's the best role model for me. We can't all move like Djokovic or hit like Federer, but we can all strive to work hard and learn to ignore pain like Nadal.
No mystery with me, it's Nadal.
Nadal is my 2nd favorite, when Fed's not playing I always root loudly for the Nadal. After that it's Del Potro, Wawrinka, Isner, Anderson and just about anyone else before Djoker --- but mostly because of his fans.
Fedr and the Nadal.

Epic humble warrior :D

Rafael+Nadal+Sony+Ericsson+Open+Day+3+ZVn8m0PA4erl.jpg
 
As a Fed fan, I voted for Nadal. I guess it's mostly their longer history together and how they sort of established themselves as the two top guys first. Plus I really do like Nadal off the court and started liking him even more after the Laver Cup 2017. How he interacted with Fed was just so cool to see.

Novak is obviously incredible and I do like how he's into "alternative" nutrition and spirituality and all that. But for whatever reason, I've just never connected with his character. Plus I don't like how he can be so blatantly hypocritical sometimes with his smash racquets/throw hearts into the crowd routine.
 

RaulRamirez

Legend
I'm a dual Rafa-Novak fan, who likes and admires all three. My vote went to "Nadal - prefers Djokovic" because I've been rooting for him longer. I try not to let fan bases shape how I feel about the players. Otherwise...
 

MichaelNadal

Bionic Poster
As a Fed fan, I voted for Nadal. I guess it's mostly their longer history together and how they sort of established themselves as the two top guys first. Plus I really do like Nadal off the court and started liking him even more after the Laver Cup 2017. How he interacted with Fed was just so cool to see.

Novak is obviously incredible and I do like how he's into "alternative" nutrition and spirituality and all that. But for whatever reason, I've just never connected with his character. Plus I don't like how he can be so blatantly hypocritical sometimes with his smash racquets/throw hearts into the crowd routine.

0e4ae1636250997cecd4119809c6d838.gif

tumblr_owt2rcyURl1w6tec3o1_1280.gif


I wish they'd play doubles at Wimbledon.
 

Mark-Touch

Legend
Note: forget about the Slam record, for example that as a Fed fan you’ve supported Djoker in past matches over Nadal only to protect Fed’s record etc. etc. None of that.

I’m asking who do you like better purely as a tennis player....

I had to change my vote because your wording is EXTREMELY confusing!

I took it this way at first:
I'm a Djoker fan (second fave) but I prefer Federer OVER HIM.

But when I saw the vote results I saw something was fishy.
Why more Nadal fans than Fed fans?

I think this is what you mean?
I'm a Federer fan and prefer Djoker OVER Nadal? etc.
 

Standaa

G.O.A.T.
I had to change my vote because your wording is EXTREMELY confusing!

I took it this way at first:
I'm a Djoker fan but I prefer Federer OVER HIM.

But when I saw the vote results I saw something was fishy.
Why more Nadal fans than Fed fans?

I think this is what you mean?
I'm a Federer fan and prefer Djoker OVER Nadal? etc.

Isn’t it obvious from the poll options? You choose who is your first favorite and they you vote for whoever you prefer out of the other two.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Ann

Pheasant

Legend
It’s too tough for me to list my 2nd favorite of the Big 3. They are still in the middle of a major slam war. Once they are retired and the war is over, I will be able to answer this much more easily.

All 3 of the players are quite likable. I will say that all 3 are a must see when you go to a live event. Fed’s ballet moves, Djoker’s insane speed and flexibility, and Nadal’s insane heart.

Note: I despised Lendl when he starting beating McEnroe. But now, I really respect how great that he was. I don’t despise Djoker and Nadal, since I have changed a lot since my teenage years during Lendl/Mac. But I cannot root for Djokodal now. Both are class acts. And I respect both a lot. But I cannot for them.
 
The one I like least of the 3 is whoever is on top at the time, since all 3 guys have some crazy obnoxious fan bases. Since Djokovic is the best currently he would be my least favorite currently along that logic. In the 2000s Federer was the one I disliked most of the 3 by far, where with Federer dominant a good portion of the decade the obnoxious Fedites were at full strength. In most of the 2010s Djokovic where his reign over most of the decade has brought out the obnoxious Djokodalers, apart from when they went quiet mid 2016-mid 2018. Since Nadal is usually 2nd best to Federer or 2nd best to Djokovic, he is almost always my 2nd favorite ahead of whichever is #1 at the time, and behind the remaining big 3 member who is 3rd or worst best at the time. Although probably my least favorite player during most clay seasons where his dominance brings out his own obnoxious fans, the Nadalstinks I call them, and keep the large base of obnoxious Fedites and Djokodalers quieter until grass comes around.
 
Last edited:
Can I be allowed to extend it to the big 4?

For me, from a pure playing style standpoint it was always Nadal, then Murray. I love watching those two, particularly playing against each other.

You can't be a tennis fan and not also like Roger, so he is up there as well.

Also a huge fan of Djokovic. The way he played "disruptor" in the 2010s to Roger and Rafa is one of the great stories of modern tennis (imo).

Not sure why so many people are criticising Djokovic fans in this thread? It's the supporter group I have the least problems with.
 
D

Deleted member 763024

Guest
Fedr - Djok fans have the biggest beef then.

Followed by Fedr - Nadl fans

Nadl - Djok fans should just marry each other
 
Top