Although we both have had problems over the course of the season, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have won three out of four Grand Slams. The Spanish phenomenon has conquered the Australian Open and Roland Garros, as well as having reached the semifinal at Wimbledon.
A rip in his abs prevented him from taking the field against Nick Kyrgios and hunting for his third seal on Church Road. The 36-year-old from Manacor also played in the US Open, but it seemed clear right away that he wasn’t in top condition.
His race stopped already in the second round against a wild Frances Tiafoe. Djokovic, for his part, paid a very high price for his choice not to get vaccinated against Coronavirus. The Serbian had to give up both the Australian Open and the US Open for this reason, sinking into the ATP ranking.
After the disappointment he suffered at Roland Garros, Nole revived his season by triumphing at Wimbledon for the seventh time in his career. Nadal and Djokovic will be among the protagonists of the Laver Cup, which will see the highly anticipated return of Roger Federer.
In a lengthy interview granted to ‘Tennis365’, Mike Bryan addressed the question of the greatest ever.
Mike Bryan on the GOAT debate
“For me it has to be Roger Federer,” Mike told Tennis365. “Those few years when he was dominating, he barely lost any matches.
“The way he does is it always so smooth. He doesn’t sweat, he just like a zen master. He is also the most relaxed in the locker room. Before a Wimbledon final, he laughing in the dressing room like it’s a Sunday afternoon in the park.
When it’s all said and done, who knows who will have all the records, but I will always have a special place in my heart for Roger”. Novak Djokovic is a notable absentee from this year’s US Open, after he was denied entry to the United States due to his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19, giving Nadal a chance to pull further clear in the all-time Grand Slam title race.
Yet Mike Bryan joins his brother in suggesting Federer will always be reserved a special place in the hearts of tennis fans around the world. “We are all lucky as tennis fans to be part of this generation watch what these guys do what they are doing,” said Mike.
“Three guys over 20 Grand Slams. I think Roger might have the fans favourite, Novak might have it all on paper when it is said and done. Then Rafa’s 14 French Open title’s is super-human”.
