"Roger Federer is really talent, ease and touch, Rafael Nadal is strength, power, & Novak Djokovic is a bit of perfection" - Stan Wawrinka

The 'Big 3' debate has long divided tennis fans, and Stan Wawrinka has now weighed in on the discussion too. Wawrinka recently claimed that while Roger Federer is supremely talented and Rafael Nadal is the personification of strength, Novak Djokovic has a bit of "perfection" to his game.

Playing alongside the all-time greats of the game, Wawrinka solidified his place as a tough competitor for the trio. The Swiss won Grand Slam singles titles in Melbourne, New York and Paris but fell short at the Wimbledon Championships, where he reached the quarterfinals twice. Wawrinka also attained a career-high ranking of No. 3, back in 2014.

In a conversation with RMC Sport, Wawrinka pointed out the distinguishing features of the 'Big 3'. Wawrinka said that his compatriot Roger Federer's game was all about "ease and touch" and that Rafael Nadal was defined by his power, before giving Novak Djokovic the ultimate compliment.

"They are different personalities and players. If we're just talking about the game, for me Roger Federer it’s really talent, ease and touch. Rafael Nadal it's strength, power and Novak Djokovic is a bit of perfection," the 2016 US Open winner said.

Wawrinka heaped further praise on Nadal, saying it was a monumental task for him to face the Spaniard in the 2017 Roland Garros final.

"It’s true that when you play Rafa in the Roland Garros final, for me it’s one of the most difficult challenges about what I’ve been able to experience in my career," Wawrinka said.

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"There is no if I had been in a weaker or stronger generation, it doesn't exist" - Stan Wawrinka on playing in the same era as the 'Big 3'

50th ABN AMRO Open 2023 - Day 5

Stan Wawrinka is one of only two players - alongside Andy Murray - to win more than one Grand Slam singles title in the era dominated by the 'Big 3'. In the same interview, the 37-year-old stated that it was a privilege to share the same court as some of the all-time greats of men's tennis.

He also said he has never thought about what could have been if he played in a different era.

"For me, it was a chance to play against the greatest players in the history of tennis," Stan Wawrinka said. "But for me, in sport, there is no such thing. There is no if I had been in a weaker or stronger generation. It doesn't exist, it's just the reality of the results."