Murray defends his place alongside Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal: "There was a time when we won everything"

Carlos Navarro | 2 Dec 2025 | 16.57

Murray firmly defended his place in the Olympus of tennis.

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Solo Novak Djokovic keeps alive the flame of the unforgettable Big Three. Seasons pass, and the performances and rivalries that defined a historic era in the history of this sport are increasingly relegated to interviews, match highlights, and stories and memories of what we have already experienced. In that blessed golden age of our sport, not only three major protagonists reigned: alongside them, and for several seasons, Andy Murray decided to leave his mark on the Olympus of world tennis.

The longevity, regularity, and consistency with which he achieved it, monopolizing in some seasons (especially 2011 and 2012) the semifinals of the major tournaments alongside Nole himself, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, propelled people to talk about a "Big Four", adding the Scotsman to the top of the pyramid. On the other hand, years later, the difference in total Grand Slams, where the Briton equals Stan Wawrinka and is far from the rest, caused many to overlook those years and eradicate that nomenclature to only talk about the Big Three.

Whenever he has to talk about this topic, Andy is very clear about his place in the history books. Below what was achieved by the Swiss, Serbian, and Spanish players, yes; eradicated and turned into a mere footnote of that triumvirate, no. Murray's latest vindication, in his interview with The Tennis Podcast, focuses on his wide range of titles beyond the Slams, all of them very prestigious, and the amount of time he spent immersed in major finals with his greatest rivals.

"I am fully aware of where I stand in the hierarchical order. I know that everything that these guys (Djokovic, Federer, Nadal) have achieved on a tennis court is far superior to what I have accomplished... but there was a period, in the middle part of my career, where most of the major tournaments that were held, whether Grand Slams, Masters 1000, Olympics, or the Davis Cup, were won by one of us four. Yes, most of the time they won them... but not always, " added the Scotsman calmly.

Andy Murray on the Big Four:

'I'm fully aware of where I sit in the pecking order (...) but there was a period in the middle part of my career where most major events were won by one of [us four]. Now granted, most of the time it was them, but it wasn't always'

(@TennisPodcast) pic.twitter.com/5l259y8JT0
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) December 2, 2025

Murray defends his role in Nadal tribute ceremony

Also, the man from Dunblane wanted to address an issue that apparently left a bitter taste in his mouth. The Briton was present at Philippe Chatrier, joining Djokovic and Federer in the tribute that the French tournament paid to its greatest king. His appearance in the center of the court, which led to already iconic photos, triggered, however, an onslaught of undesired comments, those of people questioning if he "deserved" to be part of that cast. His answer? Clearer than crystal.

"I am very proud to have been part of that tennis history period. I did not ask to go to Nadal's tribute ceremony. He asked me to be there. It was because he asked if I could come. When people say: 'What was he doing there? Why is he there?' I think: 'Well, it's not like I self-invited from the beginning, guys' (smiles). If that's what Rafa wanted, if he wanted me to be there, then that's great, of course. If he had told me no, or if the day that Novak retires he doesn't invite me, then that's also fine. I'm not going to force my presence in these situations, I won't go there unless they want me to.". A diplomatic response that accompanies a necessary vindication. What do you think? Is Andy right?

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Murray defiende su lugar junto a Djokovic, Federer y Nadal: "Hubo un tiempo en el que nosotros ganábamos todo"