The 'Big Three' dominated the sport over several years as they swept up Grand Slam titles and the Spanish icon says his bonds with the pair run deeper than their epic duels on court.

Nadal, who will retire after next month's Davis Cup Finals, told DAZN: "With Roger, I have a special relationship, but with Novak too I have a good relationship.

"It’s the way you approach the sport because in the end, we understand, that’s all it is, a match. In life, we have more important things outside of tennis.

"At the end of the day, if you have a good relationship with your colleagues, those around you, with people in general, undoubtedly the experience will be happier. In the end, tennis is only a game, relationships go beyond that.

"That is the beautiful thing about sports. You always need to have a clear goal and determination to be better and better and better.

"Having big opponents in front gives you a clearer perspective on what things you need to keep doing."

Nadal has been involved in some of the sport's most famous matches against Federer and Djokovic and credits the pair for pushing his game "to the highest level".

The former world number one quipped: "We have played against each other plenty of times, we don’t need to play again.

"Playing against Novak has always been a big challenge, [he is] a great rival. He is a player who has always pushed me to the highest level, taken me to the limit.

"I think we both have that same feeling, with Roger too, we push ourselves to the next level because the opponent has always been very strong, and we need to be improving all the time to be able to keep competing at the highest level."