Greg Rusedski: 'Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal will win more Majors than Roger Federer'

Former Major finalist Greg Rusedski believes that both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will finish the GOAT race ahead of Roger Federer and win more Majors than the Swiss. After the 2020 season, three Major titles separate three legends at the top, with the youngest and most consistent player chasing the rivals ahead of him. The GOAT race has become even more attractive ahead of the upcoming season, with Nadal joining Federer on 20 Major crowns and giving Djokovic an extra motive to catch them in the future. For many, Novak is the top favorite to win the GOAT race, playing on a higher level than anybody else when his game is on and standing a chance at all four Majors. Djokovic was the favorite to close the gap to Federer and Nadal after the 17th Major trophy claimed in Melbourne, with the Serb setting his eyes on Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the upcoming months. Due to the coronavirus, the second Major of the season came at the US Open in September, with Novak making the first and only big mistake of 2020!

Heading to New York undefeated and right after the 35th Masters 1000 title, Djokovic experienced the first default in a career after hitting the lineswoman with the ball, losing a chance of fighting for another Major trophy. Bouncing back, Novak won the title in Rome and reached the Roland Garros final, only to suffer a massive 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 loss to the clay king Rafael Nadal, propelling the Spaniard towards the 20th Major.

Greg Rusedski backs Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal to pass Roger Federer.

Since 2011, Novak has been the dominant figure in men's tennis, securing six year-end no. 1 honors and winning the most Majors, Masters 1000 and the ATP Finals crowns to infiltrate into the GOAT race.

The Belgrade native has secured no less than 16 Major shields since the Australian Open 2011, moving closer to Federer and Nadal and ensuring his place among the game's legends. Between Wimbledon 2014 and Roland Garros 2016, Novak claimed six out of eight Majors to leave all the rivals miles behind, becoming the first player with four consecutive titles since Rod Laver in 1969! Struggling with an elbow injury, Djokovic couldn't win any of the next eight Majors, losing ground to Federer and Nadal before bouncing back at Wimbledon 2018. The Serb has won five of the previous eight titles - Nadal took the other three - hoping for more of the same in 2021 and looking good to close the gap to his most prominent rivals if he stays healthy. On the other hand, Nadal will seek the 14th Roland Garros title in 2021, still standing as the player to beat on clay and eager to pass Roger and become the record-holder.

"Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will win more Majors than Roger Federer, even with the fact that the Serb is three behind. Novak and Rafa should control the GOAT race in the future," Greg Rusedski said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3rBV0DL