Mitchell Johnson: ‘Big four’ rivals turn friends as Rafael Nadal’s farewell shows what sport is really about

Tennis’ big four were reunited this week for Rafael Nadal’s emotional farewell to Roland Garros.

There’s so much to unpack about these legends of the sport, but one intriguing takeaway for me was Nadal’s “change in perspective” in retirement.

The 14-time French Open champion reflected on years of fierce competition with Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, his drive to win grand slams and the quest to be number one.

But in retirement, his views on his rivals-turned-friends highlight why athletes truly play sport: even at the highest level of competition, friendships can flourish after all is said and done. The respect that the big four have for each other is heartwarming.

Djokovic, the only one of the quartet still active on tour, mentioned that a piece of himself felt missing with Nadal’s retirement, and I can relate to that sentiment. When you’ve battled against the best for so many years, it becomes almost natural to see that person on the other side of the net. Or the other end of the pitch.

Watching these four athletes over the years has been nothing short of sensational, despite the challenges each faced with being part of that era of dominance.

As fans, we all have favourites among the four, and reminiscing about their careers is a fun exercise.

With all at their peak, Federer was my personal favourite to watch. Interestingly, I didn’t warm to the Swiss superstar initially because he was gunning for Pete Sampras’s spot as number one and I had grown up idolising ‘Pistol Pete’.

However, over time, I came to appreciate all their greatness, including Nadal’s exceptional prowess, particularly on clay. Giving the Spaniard a fitting farewell on his favourite court – complete with a permanent plaque of his footprint - was a testament to the respect he earned from the world of tennis, the fans, fellow players, and everyone fortunate enough to witness a truly dominant career. Nadal has set a bar, especially on clay, which may never be equalled.

I grew up watching tennis and my dream was always to play at Wimbledon. My childhood was such an incredible time to watch the sport even before the big four, especially with players like Monica Seles, Martina Hingis, Goran Ivanisevic, Pat Rafter, Jimmy Connors and Stefan Edberg.

The late 1980s through the early 2000s was truly memorable, filled with some of the greatest talent in tennis history.

While there have been many legends prior to them who did amazing things on the court and inspired many of the players I mentioned, the era of the big four feels particularly special. I often wonder if any of their records will ever be broken.

It reminds me of a golden era in cricket when Australia dominated, or how the All Blacks have established themselves in rugby. It’s mind-blowing to think that in an individual sport, we witnessed such extraordinary skill and determination from these four players whose domination virtually shut out all other competitors.

During their time, the rivalries were intense and there were moments when they clearly didn’t like each other. Yet they always delivered brilliant matches filled with strategy, endurance and mental strength.

When Nadal bowed out last year, Federer noted in his congratulatory message that Nadal had made him work harder than he ever thought he could just to hold his ground.

Each of them constantly pushed the others to improve, whether it was honing a skill, boosting fitness, or finding that extra one per cent to get ahead. The mental game was just as crucial, particularly in grand slam competitions, where it often came down to who was better prepared psychologically.

Now, it’s as if they’ve become like siblings, and the respect they have for one another reminds us all that, in the end, sport is a game and entertainment, despite it being something these athletes gave everything to. The friendships they’ve formed are special, showcasing the camaraderie that can arise from fierce competition.

Rating the all-time greats in tennis is so subjective and almost impossible when you try to compare different eras as well as surfaces. So my list is primarily made up of the players I most enjoyed watching and the excitement they brought to the game.

Nadal’s dominance on clay is unmatched, making every French Open he played a thrilling spectacle. His tenacity and fighting spirit added so much drama to matches.

Then there’s Federer, whose grace and shot-making ability transformed the way tennis is played. His style and charisma on and off the court made him a joy to watch.

Djokovic is another player who deserves recognition for his unique combination of incredible defence and mental toughness. His battles with both Nadal and Federer produced some unforgettable moments.

And let’s not forget Murray, whose determination and skill have often been overshadowed but who consistently brought intense competition, especially during his peak years before injury got the better of him.

All four have distinct qualities that make them legendary, and while their statistics may place them high on many lists, it’s really the emotional connection and enjoyment they brought to fans that resonates the most with me.

It’s the memories they left us with of those intense rivalries and unforgettable matches, along with their growth as individuals and athletes, that truly make them all-time greats in my eyes.

MITCHELL JOHNSON’S TOP 10 FAVOURITE PLAYERS TO WATCH

Roger Federer

Pete Sampras

Martina Hingis

Stefan Edberg

Goran Ivanisevic

Michael Chang

Monica Seles

Rafael Nadal

Ivan Lendl

Pat Rafter