Novak Djokovic former coach Boris Becker has once again weighed in on the GOAT argument.
Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have dominated the modern tennis scene in the 21st century and the latter (current world no.1) has been coached by the former world no.1 between 2013 and 2016, with the Serb taking 6 Grand slam trophies and 14 Masters 1000 titles to his kitty in that period. The Serb has since then bagged 10 more majors to tie with Nadal at 22 Grand Slams after surpassing Federer at 20.
In the absence of a retired Federer, from here, it is up to Djokovic and Nadal to decide who will wear the GOAT crown for having the most major titles.
“Whoever likes tennis, we have interesting times where we have arguably the greatest of all time taking all the titles away from everybody else,” said Becker, There was a time where each of these players [Djokovic, Nadal and Federer] had 20 majors, which is unheard of.”
He continued, “To have one is maybe possible, but three impossible. Now Federer has retired, Nadal is possibly on one leg at the moment, Djokovic is also 35.”
Nadal has not appeared on tour since January after sustaining a grade two tear to his iliopsoas hip muscle and despite withdrawing from Monaco is expected to compete at his most favorite major, Roland Garros on Parisian Clay.
Becker has suggested that the Nadal and his nemesis Djokovic can clash at Roland Garros, “Both have 22 majors, the French Open is coming up… It would be interesting to see a final between Nadal and Djokovic to decide ultimately who has the most Grand Slams of all time, so stay tuned.”
Rafael Nadal vs. Novak Djokovic Head-to-Head
Making the greatest rivalry in the open era, Nadal and Djokovic have faced each other on 59 occasions including 28 finals out of which 9 were major finals.
However, there is a great disparity in their head-to-head on all surfaces vs. clay.
Nadal vs Djokovic head-to-head: 29-30
Nadal vs. Djokovic head-to-head on clay: 20-8
In their last meeting on Parisian clay, Nadal defeated Djokovic in the quarter final in four set with a score of 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6(4). However, whether Becker’s prediction of the last blood at Roland Garros will depend on Nadal’s timely return to the field and draw. Besides, you cannot say much about it after Nadal slipping outside of the top 10 for the first time since entering the seeding in top 10 tier in 2005.