When Novak Djokovic lifted his 3rd French Open identify closing month to set a brand new Grand Slam document in males’s singles tennis within the Open Era, surpassing an injured Rafael Nadal, who had ignored the event, international tennis used to be left divided. Most opined that the win marked the tip of the long-standing GOAT debate whilst few felt that it used to be nonetheless to proceed for the passionate fanatics who would now stay into the intricate stats to spot their favorite. Toni Nadal, Rafa’s uncle, sided with Roger Federer and his nephew within the GOAT debate sooner than highlighting a significant benefit that has preferred Djokovic in his occupation. ,Wimbledon 2023 Day 9 Live Updates,
In an interview with Clay tennis, Toni defined that after the controversy on who has been the simpler participant dwells into the intricate main points like enjoying the harder suits or profitable extra titles, it has a tendency to offer upward push to more than a few critiques. However, he did rigidity on the truth that had Nadal no longer had an injury-laden occupation, then he would were the participant with extra titles.
He stated: “I think Federer and Nadal have transcended their sport more than Djokovic. And Federer has transcended more into his sport than anyone. When it comes to cataloging people who is the best… we would have to establish clear standards that are always a bit debatable, because who is the best, the one with the world record or the one who wins the Olympics?
“Don’t know. I believe the one that has controlled to play at a greater stage and do harder issues is Federer, the one that has received probably the most is Djokovic and if we informed Rafael the entirety he hasn’t performed because of harm , he almost definitely would have received greater than the others.”
Djokovic ahead in Big Title race
After every Slam, ATP takes out a list of ‘Big Titles’ won which includes majors, ATP Finals, Olympic medals and Masters 1000. Djokovic stands atop with 67 such titles, which includes 23 Grand Slams, six Finals and 38 Masters titles. Nadal, standing second with 59 Big Titles, has one less Slam, two less Masters 1000 trophies and one Olympic gold to show. Federer stands third with 54 trophies.
Despite the difference in major titles won, Toni feels that Rafa is better than Djokovic as he highlighted the advantage of surface that the Serb got during his career as opposed to the Spaniard, who has been a clay-court specialist.
“Well, Djokovic is healthier as a result of he has received extra titles than Rafael. If Djokovic is 23… Although we’re going to determine a sequence of items: we survive a circuit the place we at all times play on a difficult court docket. My nephew at all times performs 3 Grand Slams at the floor that isn’t going smartly for him and one at the floor this is going smartly for him,” he said.
“He has performed the entire Masters at all times at the floor that isn’t going smartly for him. In the sector of recreation, the chief can unbalance the steadiness to at least one aspect or the opposite. Who wins the Tour de France? If the chief places mountain , he’ll win it through one form of runner and if he places a time trial he’ll win it through any other form of runner.”
Djokovic has made the most of Rafa’s absence at Roland Garros to break his Grand Slam record and now stands on the verge of scripting Open Era tennis history with a 24th major as he stands three wins away from a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon haul.