"What really connects me, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray is the fact of having been parents" - Roger Federer

Roger Federer has expressed his belief that the connection between himself and rivals Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray goes beyond tennis. According to the Swiss, it stems from the fact that they are all parents.

Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray, collectively known as the Big Four, dominated men's tennis from 2008 to 2017. Murray's individual achievements have been well short of those of Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic. Nonetheless, the quartet has won an astonishing 69 Majors between them.

The Swiss retired in 2022, and the ongoing season is widely expected to be the last one on the ATP Tour for Nadal and Murray. Djokovic, meanwhile, continues to operate at the highest level, despite having suffered some notable upsets so far this year.

In a recent interview with EL PAIS Deportes, Federer acknowledged the rivalries between the four men's tennis juggernauts. However, according to the 20-time Grand Slam winner, the fact that they are parents has given them common ground to engage in conversations with one another.

"I also believe that what really connects all of us, including Andy, is the fact of having been parents; Beyond all the games we have played and the rivalry, in that sense we have a lot in common and to talk about," Federer told EL PAIS Deportes.

The former World No. 1 went on to say that this connection made his 2022 Laver Cup farewell all the more special.

"He (Djokovic) has two children, Andy has four and Rafa was then close to having his first [he would have it a month later]… It was beautiful to be able to experience all that as a family," Federer added.

Roger Federer recently revealed that his children had "pushed" him to attend the 2024 Wimbledon Championships

Roger Federer at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships

Federer, the record eight-time Wimbledon champion, was honored at last year's edition of the prestigious grasscourt Major for his achievements there. The Swiss and his wife Mirka took their places beside each other in the Royal Box on Center Court as they watched Murray defeat Ryan Peniston in a first-round match. However, Federer and Mirka's children did not accompany them.

This year though, things are going to be slightly different, as confirmed by Federer himself during a recent screening of his upcoming documentary Federer: Twelve Final Days in Leicester Square, London. The 20-time Grand Slam winner revealed that his children have urged him to take them to Wimbledon with him this time around, having missed out in 2023.

"I'm making plans, kids are pushing me there. I’m happy at home but the kids said ‘No we wanna come to Wimbledon this year, you were last year without us!’, so, hey, then we go to Wimbledon," Federer said.

The 2024 Wimbledon Championships are slated to begin on Monday, July 1.