'The last 10 years Roger Federer has been the GOAT but...', says legend

After reaching the top 20 in 2006, Novak Djokovic was eager for more next season, becoming the third strongest link in men's tennis behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Novak started the 2007 campaign with a title in Adelaide before losing to Federer at the Australian Open and Dubai, heading to Indian Wells and scoring five dominant victories to reach the final, losing it to Rafael Nadal. With those 350 points, Novak secured his place in the top-10 for the first time heading into Miami, delivering his best tennis in Florida to lift the first Masters 1000 crown, still standing as the last teenager with a trophy to! this level! Djokovic defeated Daniele Bracciali with a single break in the second round, followed by a quiet couple of days at the office. The Serb defeated Michael Llodra, Feliciano López, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray, losing serve only once in five games to reserve a place in the final against Guillermo Cañas. On April 1, Djokovic defeated the Argentine 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 in two hours and 20 minutes, keeping the development of the clash in his hands from start to finish to claim the biggest title of his young career. two months before your 20th birthday. Novak saved all five break points, while Guillermo couldn't match that pace, serving just 54% and losing 42% of points on serve to suffer four breaks of seven chances the teenager gave him. Djokovic had the upper hand in the quickest and longest exchanges, staying focused and marching towards the title to become the youngest winner of the prestigious event. After the match, Novak said that he feels like he belongs in the top 3 alongside Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, improving his game all the time and playing the best tennis of his career in recent weeks. "I always compare myself to the best players in the world, that's where I want to be. I feel for the first time that I am at his level and that I belong to the top 3. I proved it with a victory over Nadal here in Miami. I'm still looking forward to that victory over Roger Federer, but I hope it comes soon."

Chris Evert talks about the Big 3

Chris Evert was recently asked to pick the more significant achievement between Rafael Nadal breaking Roger Federer's all-time Grand Slam record and Novak Djokovic registering multiple title wins at each Major. While speaking to Tennishead, 18-time Slam champion Chris Evert compared the two feats and said Nadal triumphing at Roland Garros for a record-extending 14th time would be a bigger achievement. “Probably Rafa getting to 21 (will be a bigger achievement than Novak Djokovic achieving multiple title wins at each Slam)," Evert said. "It would be his 14th French Open. That alone is spectacular but to break the record with Roger is impressive because the last 10 years Roger has been the ‘GOAT’." The former World No. 1 also said that the overall Grand Slam tally must be given the most weight in the GOAT debate, which is why Rafael Nadal will take the crown from Federer if he surpasses the Swiss' tally. “Anybody who can win more Grand Slams than anybody else has to be one of the highest achievements you can attain," Chris Evert said. "I think Nadal would be jumping apart from Roger by surpassing 20 Grand Slams."

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/3uvd82c