Mats Wilander reveals what will bring Novak Djokovic closer to Rafael Nadal’s 14 titles in Paris

Former Swedish player has high expectations from Djokovic as he believes the Serb's tenth Australian Open title will be closer to Nadal's record in Roland Garros.


Mats Wilander reveals what will bring Novak Djokovic closer to Rafael Nadal’s 14 titles in Paris

Mats Wilander, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic

Serbian star Novak Djokovic has given a blazing start to his 2023 season by winning the title in Adelaide. With the triumph, the nine-time Australian Open champion has sounded a warning to his opponents for the things to come in Melbourne Park. With the Slam less than one week away all eyes are on Djokovic hoping for him to lift his tenth title in the Australian summer. 

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If Djokovic succeeds to live up to the expectations, the debate around GOAT will get more thrilling. Former Swedish World No. 1 Mats Wilander believes the 10th title win in Australia for Djokovic will be easy and more logical to compare with Rafael Nadal’s 14 titles in Roland Garros. 

“In the event of Novak Djokovic’s 10th coronation in Melbourne, the comparison with Rafael Nadal’s 14 Roland-Garros titles will be easy and logical,” Wilander said. 

I think that if you win 10 Australian Open on hard courts, it means that you may have to beat the best tennis player because everyone knows how to play on hard courts. In the challenge, it would be an incredible feat even if nine titles are already quite incredible,” he further added. 

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After the retirement of Swiss maestro Roger Federer, the race to achieve the highest grand Slam tally has become a two-way contest between Novak Djokovic and his Spanish rival Rafael Nadal. Nadal is the undisputed king of Paris whereas Djokovic holds the record nine titles at Melbourne Park. Whose record is more significant between the two has been the theme of debate among tennis pundits. 

The fortnight starting from next Monday will be key to settling the debate for some time. 

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Mats Wilander weighs in his views on the GOAT debate and the AO favorite

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal

Mats Wilander picked his favorite for the Australian Open scheduled to start in less than a week now. He believes that the nine-time champion Novak Djokovic is the overwhelming favorite to reclaim his title at Melbourne Park. Wilander justified his pick for the Slam. 

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“I think Novak is the No. 1 favorite for many, many reasons. Obviously, one reason is that he’s won the Australian Open nine times. The surface is perfect for him,” Wilander opined about Djokovic. Wilander also shared his views on other legends of the celebrated ‘Big 3’. 

The seven-time singles Major champion claimed that Rafael Nadals ability to win at least two Grand Slam titles on each surface is what separates him from Roger Federer.  ”Winning there for the second time for someone like him, now he has won all of the Majors twice or more, that’s massive,” Wilander said. Wilander with his opinions has further fueled the never-ending debate about GOAT. 

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