Man City boss Pep Guardiola. (Picture Credit: AP)
As Spaniard Nadal prepares to call curtains on his illustrious career, Guardiola reflected on the sheer dominance of the legendary trio that has come to define the sport.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola expressed his admiration for the traditional top in tennis, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who dominated the sport for over a decade
The 53-year-old who led City to an unprecedented treble in the 2022-23 campaign and followed it up with a historic fourth Premier League title in a row in the 2023-24 season termed the tennis trio as ‘Three geniuses’.
As Spaniard Nadal prepares to call curtains on his illustrious career at next month’s Davis Cup finals, Guardiola reflected on the sheer dominance of the legendary trio that has come to define the sport.
Nadal is slated to face off against Djokovic at the ongoing Six Kings Slam for probably the final time and Guardiola revealed his feelings of sadness with one of the most iconic rivalries coming up on its final iteration.
Guardiola emphasised the impact the trio has had on sport in general and revealed he looked to the stars for inspiration.
He lauded the trio’s mental fortitude and ability to keep going despite setbacks and challenges.
“I admire their consistency, their mental strength, and how they never gave up, even when facing setbacks,” Guardiola said.
“They are three geniuses, and I’ve tried to learn a lot from their body language and how they handle difficult moments, ” the Spanish mastermind continued.
“Their talent, skill, and resilience are what made them great, and all three will be missed. Though Djokovic continues to compete, their era is something special.”
Guardiola, no stranger to some iconic rivalries himself, has been with City for nine years, his longest association with any club as its manager, also touched upon how success was the most crucial measure in modern football.
“When you’re here for nine years, you become the oldest,” the 53-year-old said.
“But in this profession, you have to win. It’s the only way to keep your job,” he signed off.