How To Beat Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic? Swiss Legend Reveals

Roger Federer believes tennis players need to have certain traits if they want to emulate him and the rest of the Big Three's dominance when it comes to winning Grand Slam titles.

Novak Djokovic emerged victorious at Wimbledon and then the US Open earlier this month to take his Grand Slam tally to 14. In the six Grand Slams preceding them, it was Federer and Rafael Nadal who shared the honors with three major titles each.

In total, the trio have now won a combined 50 Grand Slam titles, which constitutes 80 percent of the last 62 Grand Slams to have taken place over a 15-year period.

In recent times, only the likes of Andy Murray, Stan Wawrinka, Juan Martin del Potro and Marin Cilic have been able to win a major title with the first two being able to do it multiple times with three each. The next generation on the other hand, don't look likely to win anytime soon.

And if any player wants to win a Grand Slam in the future, they need to be the whole package according to Federer.

"Obviously the top is strong… pick me, Rafa, Novak, I just look at how we play. We play very different," Federer said, as quoted on Metro. "So for anybody to come through all three guys in one tournament and end up winning the tournament, I don’t know if it’s ever happened. And obviously the draw also maybe doesn’t allow it to happen, but it’s just very hard, you know."

"You have to have so many different qualities in your game. You need to be able to serve well, return well. You have to have a transition game. You need to be able to finish at the net. You need to be physically strong, mentally strong. And I think our three playing styles challenge all those things. And that maybe over a weekend, over a week, whatever it may be."

The 20-time Grand Slam champion added it's not just getting past the Big Three but a number of other players who provide different challenges, especially when fit and firing.

"It’s just very hard, you know, I think for a lot of guys to break through and we have made it difficult," Federer explained. "Then you add someone like Stan in the mix who comes in with the power or a [Dominic] Thiem or a Sascha [Zverev] or a Murray obviously who has unbelievable retrieving potential and is also a great champion, and Cilic who can serve unbelievable."

"And then you realize actually maybe how difficult it is to break through, so you need to have the full package or you will just not make it. I know how hard it is to win Slams. Everybody knows it. You have to stay super, super focused for a long period of time and, you know, mentally not think too far ahead. You have to go point-by-point mentality basically, which is crazy, but that’s how you are successful on the tennis tour."

Federer was taking part in the Laver Cup alongside Djokovic over the weekend. He is expected to play in the Shanghai Masters next which takes place from Oct. 8-14.