Rafael Nadal’s uncle Toni admits Novak Djokovic is the ‘best tennis player in history’ after his US Open victory

Djokovic receives high praise from Toni Nadal

Rafael Nadal’s uncle Toni admits Novak Djokovic is the ‘best tennis player in history’ after his US Open victory

Toni Nadal and Novak Djokovic (Credits : Antoine Couvercelle and Getty Images)

2nd seed Novak Djokovic scripted history on Sunday as he won a record-extending 24th Grand Slam by claiming the US Open 2023 title at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Serbian legend defeated the 2021 US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in straight sets(6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-3) in just over 3 hours to clinch his 4th US Open title and 3rd Grand Slam of the year. Djokovic avenged his loss to Medvedev in the 2021 US Open final as he became the oldest man (36) to win the US Open in the Open Era.

The 36-year-old has also extended his lead over arch-rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in Grand Slams tally. The Serbian star is now two clear of Rafael Nadal’s tally of 22 men’s Slam singles titles with Roger Federer two further back on 20. The trio are often talked about in the tennis GOAT(Greatest Of All Time) debate. Nadal’s uncle and long-time coach Toni Nadal had a surprise pick in the GOAT debate.

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Speaking to the Spanish news publication ElDesmarque Toni said that the Serbian Legend is “The best tennis player in history”. “It’s very difficult to determine who is the best in history…you have to opt for Djokovic because the titles support him,” he explained.

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The super coach further said, “Djokovic is a great champion and it will be very difficult to reach him, not only for my nephew, but for anyone.” “Although I think [Roger] Federer has sometimes managed to play at an even higher level, I think in the world of sport if we go by the numbers, Djokovic is without a doubt the best,” he added.

Djokovic also moved one ahead of Serena Williams to become the first player to win 24 in the Open era. Margaret Court also collected a total of 24, but 13 of those came before professionals were admitted to the Slam events. When asked afterwards what winning 24 Slam titles meant to him, Djokovic thanked his parents and his family for their sacrifices over the years and said, “This is your trophy as much as this is mine. This is your success as much as this is mine. I love you.”

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Prize money for the US Open Champion Novak Djokovic

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Novak Djokovic with the US Open title (Credits: Getty Images)

The new world no.1 will receive a whopping $3 million for winning the 2023 US Open championship. The Runner-up, Daniil Medvedev, will be awarded a check of $1.5 million. The other two semi-finalists, the 1st seed, Carlos Alcaraz, and the 20-year-old American southpaw Ben Shelton, will receive $775,000 each.

The total ‘prize money pool’ available at the last Grand Slam of the year is $65 million and boasts the largest prize pool ever. Going down the order, the quarter-finalists will receive $455,000. The ones who were ousted in the fourth round would earn $284,000, and the third-round losers would get $191,000.

The second and first-round losers would also earn $123,000 and $81,500, respectively. More significantly, this is the 50th year of equal pay for men’s and women’s players at the US Open. In 1973, the US Open became the first Grand Slam tournament to award equal prize money to men and women, with that year’s singles champions, John Newcombe and Margaret Court, receiving $25,000 each.

The winner of the doubles tournament would win $700,000, and the runners-up would earn $350,000.

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