Why Did Federer Never Practice With Djokovic Or Nadal? Andy Murray Reveals Truth

Last Updated:December 15, 2025, 08:29 IST

Murray revealed Federer stopped practicing with him early on, avoided sessions with Djokovic and Nadal, and kept rivalries professional, valuing competition over friendship.

The Big Four of Djokovic, Federer, Nadal and Murray (X)

Andy Murray has revealed why Roger Federer stopped practicing with him early in his career — and why the Swiss legend famously kept his distance from Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on the practice court.

Despite the fierce rivalries that define elite tennis, top players often train together away from match day. Today, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner regularly hit together.  Murray, too, said he valued practicing with Djokovic and Nadal to gauge where his game stood.

Federer, however, was different.

Speaking to seven-time snooker world champion Stephen Hendry on the Stephen Hendry Cue Tips YouTube channel, Murray explained how those early Federer sessions didn’t last long.

“I would practice with them — I’d practice with Djokovic and Nadal," Murray said. “When I first started, I would practice with Federer. But after a year or two, he stopped. He wouldn’t practice with me anymore.

“He never practiced with Djokovic or Nadal, I think because he considered them to be a competitor."

For Murray, those sessions were invaluable.

“I liked practicing with them because it gave me the chance to see where my game was at," he added.

Still, there were unwritten rules. Murray admitted he avoided hitting with rivals too close to major matches, preferring to practice weeks out instead. And socially, there was always a clear line.

“I was never going for dinner with them," Murray said. “Whereas now I’d love to do that, see them a few times socially."

Federer and Murray shared one of the great rivalries of the era. Federer edged their head-to-head 14–11, winning all three Grand Slam finals they contested, while Murray famously beat Federer for Olympic gold at London 2012.

Murray also explained why genuine friendships are rare at the very top.

“If I’m socialising with friends and family, you want to feel like you can tell them if you’re struggling," he said. “But if you’re competing against them, you wouldn’t do it."

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