When Novak Djokovic speaks to Serbian reporters at Grand Slams, those are usually opportunities to ask about topics not strictly related to matches – on Sunday in Melbourne, Djokovic spoke about his relationship with the younger generation of players compared to his relationship with his greatest rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

If I were to compare my relationship with them to the one I had with Federer and Nadal, the relationship with my younger fellow players is much better, nicer. I enjoy it.” 

— Novak Djokovic

The motive behind the question were nice words spoken by Daniil Medvedev about Novak during his post-match press conference on Saturday – the Russian recalled a story back from 2017, when Djokovic offered to take him with a private jet to Niš where Serbia and Russia were due to meet in a Davis Cup tie.

He was asked: “In this final stage of your career, do you prefer to be surrounded by young stars that have a different relationship towards you – some even openly like you like Medvedev – or was your wish to bring your career to the end alongside Federer and Nadal?”

To which Djokovic responded: “First of all, I want to thank Daniil for his kind words, he pleasantly surprised me.

“He did already tell that story, but I very much appreciate the way he brought it to people. I, too, have the best possible opinion about him as a person, colleague, and as one of my biggest rivals in the last five years. I know that he is a man with the right values and it’s true when he says that he has a great relationship with the majority of the Tour – I can see it in the locker room, he and his team try to communicate nicely with everybody.” 

Djokovic said that doesn’t have any regrets about not finishing his career alongside Federer.

“Yes, no particular regret or it would (mean something to me) to finish alongside Nadal. They are two of my biggest rivals – especially Nadal, as I’ve said numerous times – and that’s never going to change. The amount of energy spent on our rivalry during all these years, how many times we played each other (Djokovic leads head-to-head 30-29)… It’s impossible for me to play Alcaraz sixty times. That won’t be possible, because he will finish his career before me,” Djokovic said bursting out laughing, then added, of his relationship with the younger generations:

“Jokes aside, I am really enjoying the rivalries I have with all those guys. Alcaraz, Medvedev, Sinner, everybody near the top I get along with quite nicely. If I were to compare my relationship with them to the one I had with Federer and Nadal, the relationship with my younger fellow players is much better, nicer. I enjoy it.” 

Asked to elaborate on his words, Djokovic replied:

“I don’t know, it’s just more open, the younger guys are more communicative. We just get along better, that’s it.” 

In the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, Djokovic will continue his quest for a record 25th major title and an eleventh at the Ausrtralian Open. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is due to face Taylor Fritz, with whom he holds a 8-0 record.