Mats Wilander believes ‘GOAT’ race would have become completely irrelevant if Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open ban was not overturned
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Novak Djokovic was involved in a huge controversy in Australia last summer, after he was denied the opportunity to compete in the first major of the year. The Serbian was deported back home, and his Australian visa was suspended for a period of three years. However, the ban has been overturned by the Government, and as a result, Novak Djokovic will be allowed to compete in Melbourne in 2023.
In the absence of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal managed to claim only his second Australian Open title last year. Swedish tennis legend, Mats Wilander believes that the ‘GOAT race’ would have become a completely irrelevant topic if Novak Djokovic was denied the opportunity to compete at the Australian Open for a second successive year. The GOAT Debate is among the most discussed topics in tennis, involving Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.
Novak Djokovic has clearly dominated the Australian Open in the last decade, winning the title on nine occasions. Mats Wilander believes that the decision to overturn Novak Djokovic’s visa ban was one of the most important moments in tennis.
“We are in the middle of a battle between the Big Three for the honour of the best of all time. The number of Grand Slams would have become completely irrelevant if Novak hadn’t been allowed to play anymore,” said Wilander.
“That’s also important for the press,” Mats Wilander on the impact of Novak Djokovic’s participation at Australian Open 2023
Mats Wilander opined that the GOAT debate is very important for the sport, given that it has immense scope for publicity. The Swede believes that the race is back on, as Novak Djokovic could close into Rafael Nadal’s tally of 22 majors at the Australian Open next year.
“Most would really like to know who we can call the number one of all time. That’s also important for the press. The place that we as a professional sport get in the media will, I think, be given by the return of this race or its revival massively upgraded,” the Swede said.
Novak Djokovic could compete in only a couple of tournaments this season, owing to covid-19 restrictions. The Serbian also missed the US Open 2022 for the similar reasons. However, he did manage to claim at least one major this season, as he won his seventh Wimbledon title, defeating Nick Kyrgios in the finals.
Novak Djokovic will look to hit double figures in terms of his success at the Australian Open next year. The former world number one could also level Rafael Nadal in terms of the total Grand Slam tally, before moving onto the French Open.
Also Read: BREAKING: Novak Djokovic and Team Serbia to miss out the inaugural edition of the United Cup
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