Paolo Bertolucci: 'Novak Djokovic will pass Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal'

After the 2020 season, three Major titles separate Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. 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 and pass 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 having a chance at all four Majors during the season. The former Italian player Paolo Bertolucci is among them, saying that Djokovic has an excellent chance of finishing his career ahead of Federer and Nadal or at least tied with them. 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. 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 the season!

Heading to New York undefeated in 2020 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 to fight 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 Rafael Nadal, propelling the Spaniard towards the 20th Major. 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 enter the GOAT race.

Novak Djokovic stands three Majors behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

The Belgrade native has secured 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. 

"Novak Djokovic will win more Majors than Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, even after that US Open mistake. He is the youngest and freshest among those three, with a nice chance of moving in front in a couple of years. On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if they all finish on the same number of Major crowns," Paolo Bertolucci said.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/37u5Qm6