Novak Djokovic’s records will be FORGOTTEN claims Ilie Nastase undermining his historic achievement of winning 23 Majors

Ilie Nastase's latest comments on Novak Djokovic's records bring out a very different take on the GOAT debate despite the Serb's 2023 French Open win.

Novak Djokovic’s records will be FORGOTTEN claims Ilie Nastase undermining his historic achievement of winning 23 Majors

Ilie Nastase and Novak Djokovic (Credits: SKY, Daily Express)

The 2023 French Open became historic for many reasons. Apart from the events of the fortnight, both tennis and controversies-wise, nothing matched Novak Djokovic. The Serbian finally became the first man to win 23 Grand Slam singles titles matching Serena Williams as the only other player in the Open Era to do so.

In the process, he also overtook Rafael Nadal for the first time in his career in the race for most singles Majors. The two were tied at 22 titles each but with the King of Clay out for the season, Djokovic didn’t squander the opportunity presented to him. With his third French Open title, he went on to break furthermore records as many have now dubbed him the GOAT.

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However, former World No. 1 Ilie Nastase had a very distinct take on the whole debate. The Romanian touched upon how the former champions have been forgotten with the coming of a new generation and feels Djokovic’s 23 Majors will be forgotten too.

“They’re all there, Federer is too. Let’s not forget those before, Borg, Rod Laver, who did the Calendar Slam twice, and Sampras. Or others, which we have forgotten. Agassi, for example. And others. I can compare, because I’ve seen them all and played with many of them, but I don’t think they do this thing.

He blamed the GOAT debate and the noise around it on media and sponsors for commercial purposes.

“I think it’s more the media and the sponsors who maintain this thing with the Grand Slams. And so? Djokovic will be forgotten with these 23 as the others were forgotten! And he will be forgotten!“ said Nastase speaking with Gazeta Sporturilor.

Continue Reading: “He has more titles than Alcaraz has matches” – Novak Djokovic fans berate Wimbledon as Roger Federer and Carlos Alcaraz star on the poster without the Serb

Ilie Nastase gives his take on how many Majors can Novak Djokovic retire with

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic lifting the 2023 French Open trophy (Credits: The Sun)

Having spoken about how history is unforgiving for champions, Ilie Nastase also made a comment on the number of Grand Slam titles Novak Djokovic can retire with. With 23 already to his name, he has a shot at two more this season and the chances are very good.

“I don’t know how many more Slams Djokovic will win. No one knows, I don’t think he knows how many more he takes. Let’s see how long he plays, he is also 36 years old. At around 38, maybe even 39 years old, you start to lose a little of your energy. Federer held on longer. Now, it also depends on what Djokovic will play next. If he only plays Grand Slam tournaments, he will have a chance not to tire,” added Nastase.

The biggest advantage that Djokovic has over Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer remains his fitness. Federer despite winning Majors after turning 36 continued to struggle with his knee that required multiple surgeries. Nadal on the other hand has been struggling with his chronic foot injury forever and is expected to hang up his boots next season as per his own admission. Djokovic’s dietary restrictions and extra focus on physical fitness might just see him continue longer and add a few more Majors.

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