'Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are exceptional – I know what separates them'

Two-time champion Guy Forget has singled out 's unparalleled mental strength as the trait that sets him apart from his rivals.

icon Nadal is set to retire later this year and will leave behind a legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats. The 38-year-old has been locked in an epic rivalry with and throughout his career, with the trio amassing a staggering 66 major singles titles between them.

It's often difficult to pinpoint what separates the 'Big Three' of tennis. However, Forget - who won the Davis Cup with France in 1992 and 1996 - has identified one quality where Nadal stands alone.

Speaking to L'Equipe (via the ), Forget highlighted certain winning attributes belonging to Djokovic and Nadal. However, he hailed Nadal as the ultimate competitor: "We can say that Federer was technically the most accomplished, the most incredible when he played well. We can say that Djokovic is the best returner, the player who misses the least, the most difficult to counter, but for me, the strongest mentally is Nadal.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

"In this respect, I place him above Roger and Novak. When some other legends could show signs of irritation and even give up during the match, I never saw him lower his head or admit defeat. Until the last point."

As Nadal prepares to represent Spain in this year's Davis Cup Finals, tributes like Forget's exemplify the unique qualities that have made him a sporting icon. Forget hailed Lleyton Hewitt and Jimmy Connors as "monsters of resilience," with their mental toughness being a key weapon.

However, even they couldn't hold a candle to the Mallorcan marvel, who has bounced back from serious injuries time after time throughout his illustrious career. The 14-time champion has made an incredible comeback from injury multiple times, missing a staggering 16 Grand Slam events due to health woes, more than Djokovic and Federer combined.

Forget added: "It was probably his greatest strength, this ability, whatever his physical problem, the score, his opponent or the surface, to constantly say to himself, 'I'm going to find the solution, and I'm going to get through it.' I don't know where he got this strength from."

As Nadal prepares to hang up his racket, he'll reflect on a narrow losing record against Djokovic, having been defeated in 31 out of their 60 clashes. His stats against Federer are more favourable, however, boasting a 24-16 lead in their rivalry, despite once having a much wider margin over the Swiss maestro.

Forget's remarks carry more weight considering Nadal's knack for unforgettable comebacks, like his battle from two sets down to triumph over in the 2022 final. Nadal secured his 22 Grand Slam titles over a 17-year span - two years longer than Djokovic or Federer's equivalent – further emphasising the relentless determination that propelled the King of Clay to the pinnacle.

and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our