'One or two Grand Slams differentiating Roger Federer, Nadal, Djokovic', says legend

His 13th career triumph at Roland Garros allowed Rafael Nadal to equal the all-time record of 20 Grand Slam titles of his eternal rival Roger Federer, crowning a chase that lasted more than ten years. The Swiss phenomenon played in only one tournament in 2020, the Australian Open, before undergoing surgery twice on his right knee, closing his season very early. On the occasion of a ceremony held in Zurich, where he was awarded as the best Swiss athlete of the last 70 years, the former world number 1 posed serious doubts about his presence at the Australian Open 2021. The 39-year-old from Basel admitted that his knee is not yet at 100%, so he may need more time before returning to the field. His big goals will be concentrated during the summer, with the Wimbledon-Tokyo Olympics-US Open triptych that could represent the latest effort in his unrivaled epic. Also worth keeping an eye on is Novak Djokovic, who has stopped at 17 Grand Slams since last January, but is ready to break Federer's record by weeks at the top of the ATP rankings. Interviewed on the sidelines of the Laureus Awards, WTA legend Monica Seles expressed her point of view on the GOAT.

Seles on the Big 3

“I always thought, between Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, [being the greatest] was anybody's game. I think it’s whoever is going to be able to stay healthier longer," the 47-year-old said. According to Monica Seles, for a player like herself, a difference of one or two Majors between all-time greats is not a big deal. “Truly they're all three the greatest, because it will be one or two Grand Slams differentiating them," Seles added. "As a fellow player, to me, it won't make a difference, because I will view all three, Roger Federer, Nadal and Djokovic as the greatest, and Rod Laver and obviously Pete Sampras in there, as the greatest of the game. They (Roger Federer, Nadal and Djokovic) each three play such different styles of game, the way they approach the game," Seles said. "I think it's just great for young players to see that there's not one way to get to be a champion." The 47-year-old went on to acknowledge the sheer hard work and preparation that the Big 3 have put in to get this far in their careers, no matter what the situation around them. “The greatest of them all? I don't think any of us know," Seles said. "I mean, you can't say it's a coin toss up because all of them are working so hard for each Grand Slam title, and just trying to stay injury free. And, obviously what has been going on in the world it has not been easy in terms of training schedules, tournament schedules, preparations and mentally to handle it."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/37rlsIo