Renowned journalist believes Novak Djokovic can’t win 14 Australian Open titles like Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros

Tennis journalist Steve Flink in an interview expressed his thoughts on Serbian ace Novak Djokovic's ability to win 4 more Australian Opens.


Renowned journalist believes Novak Djokovic can’t win 14 Australian Open titles like Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic & Rafael Nadal have won 22 Grand Slams each.

Novak Djokovic accomplished the incredible feat of winning 10 Australian Open titles earlier this month. However, tennis journalist Steve Flink believes the Serb’s dominance in Australia will fall short of that of his Spanish rival Rafael Nadal in Paris. 

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Bettering Greek ace Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets, Djokovic won his 22nd Grand Slam. Subsequently, he equaled Nadal’s tally of 22 Majors. Djokovic had been nursing a hamstring injury since the Adelaide International 1 tournament. Despite being physically subpar, Djokovic was the overwhelming favorite heading into the first Slam of 2023. Consequently, he recorded his 10th Australian Open championship in dominant fashion. He won 21 sets to just one loss. 

The 2023 Australian Open Men’s Singles Championship Point (source: Youtube)

Despite such a rampage, Flinko’s words suggested the contrary. While speaking on the Beilinson Tennis podcast, he asserted the possibility of the Serb winning Melbourne two more times.

“I don’t think so and I am an ardent admirer of Djokovic. Can see him getting a couple more. I don’t see four more at this stage of his career, no, that would be astounding. Yet, it wouldn’t shock me to see a couple more. So, I don’t see the other four happening,” Flink said.

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His words are seconded by several fans on social media, who believe 14 is too big a number for the Serb to achieve. with the utmost respect to Djokovic’s achievements. The Australian Open will never witness such prolonged dominance again.

Djokovic has rewritten the history books. He first won the Norman Brookes trophy in 2008, 15 years ago. However, more interestingly, in 2023, he’s right there yet again. Winning it for a record-extending 10th time. Regardless, Flink remained vehement with his words. Suggesting the Serb could end up with the most Slams, but he’s on the clock.

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Novak Djokovic & Rafael Nadal have won 22 Grand Slams each

The two tennis giants have dominated the ATP circuit for the past 17 years. Stretching back to Nadal’s first Roland Garros triumph in 2005. Novak Djokovic, in his own words, was nothing more than an occasional annoyance. The Federer-Nadal duopoly seemed on a course for shared greatness.

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But the Serb upset the apple cart as he started equaling and bettering the two legends. At one point, Federer led Djokovic in the Slam count by 15-1. Since then, Djokovic has won 21 Slams, whereas Federer could only manage five more Majors. Subsequently, Nadal had nine at the common junction. And he now has 22 major titles to his name. 

What once seemed far-fetched has been accomplished by not one but three men. But there are two who have risen above everybody else in history. It’s a race to the finish line between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Despite being on the wrong side of 30, both of these athletes are giving the young guns a run for their money.

Djokovic seems poised to have another jab at the calendar Grand Slam, whereas Nadal promises to return with a vengeance. The proverbial “GOAT” debate is seemingly endless. But we’re closer to the culmination than ever before.

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