Ilie Nastase RIDICULES Novak Djokovic’s 23 Majors record, claims that Rafael Nadal’s 14 French Open titles were more difficult to achieve

Former World No. 1 Ilie Nastase makes a surprising claim while comparing Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic following the Serb's 23rd Major title win at the French Open.

Ilie Nastase RIDICULES Novak Djokovic’s 23 Majors record, claims that Rafael Nadal’s 14 French Open titles were more difficult to achieve

Ilie Nastase (L), Rafael Nadal (C), Novak Djokovic (R) (Credits: Eurosport, Olympics, Tennis.com)

The GOAT debate has escalated once again ever since the 2023 French Open‘s conclusion. With Novak Djokovic winning the title and becoming the first man to win 23 Majors, many believe the Serb has settled the debate once and for all. With many claiming Djokovic to be the GOAT now, former World No. 1 Ilie Nastase has a different take.

The Romanian said, “I don’t think it’s a fight, I don’t think it’s a personal fight between him and Nadal. I don’t see this thing. That’s what happened, right? It could have been the other way round, it could have been Nadal with 23.“

Adding further, Nastase said, “They’re both there, close to each other. Does it matter now that he took an extra one? It matters to Djokovic, but I don’t think Nadal is jealous of that. Someone else should be jealous of him, that he won Roland Garros 14 times. Those 14 are harder than Djokovic’s 23. Just so you know, to win on clay 14 times at Roland Garros?! I don’t think another player is born who can do this job.”

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With Rafael Nadal out for the season and trailing with 22 titles of his own, Djokovic has a great chance to add more titles by the end of the season. This is the first time that Djokovic is leading the race for most singles Grand Slam titles.

With Roger Federer now retired, the race was always going to be between the Serb and the Spaniard. With many hoping the French Open to be a showdown between the two as both were tied on 22 titles, Rafa’s withdrawal from the season played a spoilsport before Roland Garros started.

In case you missed it: Roger Federer applauds Novak Djokovic’s ‘incredible’ feat at the 2023 French Open

Comparison of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal’s trophy cabinet

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal (Credits: Vogue, Sports Illustrated)

Ilie Nastase is certainly entitled to his opinions. A winner at Grand Slam events in all three disciplines, he does certainly know about the sport. But to evaluate the two players on the basis of their trophy haul would be a bit far-fetched if considered only for one surface. While Rafael Nadal has certainly well deservingly earned the title of the ‘King of Clay‘, none can deny the versatility Novak Djokovic has shown.

Of the 22 Grand Slam titles that Nadal has won, a staggering 14 have come at the Roland Garros. At the Australian Open and Wimbledon, he has two titles each while claiming four titles at the US Open. Djokovic on the other hand has 10 titles in Melbourne, three in Paris, seven in Wimbledon, and three in New York. Moreover, Djokovic has also won the Tour Finals six times while Nadal has been unfortunate to never win one.

With Nadal out for the season and announcing the next season as potentially his last, it surely would be an end of an era. With the young guns unable to challenge Djokovic properly, the Serb certainly has a great chance to finish as the GOAT when he retires. Maybe only then, he would get the respect and recognition he deserves.

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