Novak Djokovic vs Roger Federer vs Rafael Nadal: Who Has Won the Most Big Titles?

In the world of tennis, few names have echoed as powerfully as Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal. Together, they are known as the “Big Three” of men’s tennis, a trio that has commanded the sport for over two decades. Their rivalry and achievements have left an unforgettable mark on tennis history, but the question remains: who among them has won the most big titles?

Credits: ATP Tour
Dominating the Grand Slams
When it comes to the Grand Slam tournaments, which are considered the peak of tennis, Novak Djokovic presently leads with an all-time record of 24 major titles. Rafael Nadal follows closely with 22, while Roger Federer, who stepped-down in 2022, has won 20. Each of them has completed the Career Grand Slam by winning all four major tournaments— the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open— at least once. Djokovic stands out by completing this feat three times, while Nadal has done it twice. Moreover, Djokovic is the only man to have held all four major titles concurrently on three different surfaces, a rare and remarkable achievement in the sport.

Masters of the Masters
Coupled with Grand Slams, the ATP Masters tournaments are another measure of perfection in tennis. These events are just a point below the majors in terms of honor and difficulty. Djokovic once again leads in this category, having won 40 Masters titles, a record in the sport. Nadal is second with 36, while Federer has 28. Djokovic also achieved the Career Golden Masters, which means he has won all nine active Masters tournaments, and he has done this twice— another exceptional milestone.

ATP Finals and Other Major Tournaments
The ATP Finals, often considered the most renowned tournament outside the Grand Slams, have been dominated by the Big Three. Djokovic has won this event a record seven times, while Federer has won it six times. Nadal, though highly successful elsewhere, has never won the ATP Finals.

In team competitions, all three have been instrumental in leading their countries to victory. Nadal helped Spain secure five Davis Cup titles, Djokovic led Serbia to its first in 2010, and Federer guided Switzerland to its only title in 2014. At the Olympics, all three have won multiple medals, with Nadal and Djokovic gaining gold in singles, and Federer achieving it in doubles.

The Golden Era of Tennis
This period in men’s tennis, overpowered by Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal, is often referred to as the “Golden Era.” They have not only won the most titles but have also regularly been the top players in the world. Between them, they have held the World No. 1 ranking for 947 weeks— that’s 18 years. Djokovic has spent the most time at the top, with a record 428 weeks, followed by Federer with 310 weeks and Nadal with 209 weeks.

The trio’s dominance prolonged to the year-end rankings as well. From 2004 to 2023, except for 2016 and 2022, one of these three finished the season as the No. 1 player in the world. Their rivalry has been so fierce and competitive that for many years, they were repeatedly ranked as the top three players in the world concurrently.

The Legacy of the Big Three
As we take a look back on the victories of Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal, it’s evident that each has left a unique and unforgettable impact on the sport. Djokovic’s regularity and ability to win on all surfaces, Federer’s grace and elegance on the court, and Nadal’s relentless resilience and dominance on clay have made them icons in their own right.

While Djokovic presently holds the record for the most big titles, with Nadal and Federer not far behind, their collective triumphs have elevated tennis to new heights. The debate over who is the greatest will continue, but one thing is certain: the era of the Big Three will be remembered as one of the most extraordinary periods in the history of tennis.