Toni Nadal thinks his nephew Rafa Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic will find it hard to add up more major titles in the coming years.
The trio consistently hailed as the best three players to ever play men’s tennis. They have dominated the scene in Grand Slam collectively since the late 2000s.
Rafael Nadal left behind Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the race to most number of Grand Slam titles. Nadal won his 21st Grand Slam title in this year’s Australia Open. Both Federer and Djokovic are stuck at 20.
The Spaniard also became the 4th man in history to have won all the major at least twice. He achieved this feat alongside Novak Djokovic, Rod Laver and Roy Emerson.
Toni Nadal on the GOAT Debate
Speaking at a press conference detailing next summer’s ATP 250 event in Majorca, Toni said that he believes that Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic may struggle to win more majors due to their age and the rise of the next generation.
Toni was asked whether 21 slams would be enough to win the major GOAT race, he said: “I have no idea. I wish I did. Djokovic is in theory the favourite to win Wimbledon, at Roland Garros I hope it will be Rafael and the US Open I don’t know.”
“It (21) may or may not be enough. The reality is that it is increasingly difficult to win a Grand Slam because of their ages and because of the players who come from below (the next gen).”
Toni Nadal also gave another take on the GOAT debate. He said that he might not be the best person to judge due to the familial connection to Rafa.
He added, “There are different measures to determine who is number one (of all time). In any case, my opinion is not valid because he (Nadal) is my nephew. And if I considered that someone else is the best, I would not say so.”
“Federer is a guy who has managed to transcend his sport. But apart from that he has achieved maximum efficiency with great elegance, and you can’t ask for more than that.”