I've had this argument countless times. He won most of his GS titles against a comparatively weaker field and been shown up by Nadal and Djokovic when they elevated to the top.
For them to win 35 GS titles in the era of the toughest period of tennis speaks volumes.
For that alone, even as a massive Nadal fan, i can't help but think Novak is the best player we've ever seen ahead of Rafa and then Federer. But this era is very, very, very unlikely to be repeated to have the three most winningest players of all time exist at the same time. And that's bloody awesome to watch.
It is very difficult to put one ahead of the other with Nadal and Novak, personally I think they are both ahead of Federer for the reason you've said above. In terms of the separation between Novak and Nadal, IMO Novak will be able to sustain a bit of a longer career, although he's struggled with injuries for a year or so a little while back, it's not like Nadal who will get multiple knee injuries, or ankle or whatever so I think it's inevitable Novak will then move ahead of him on Grand Slams.
But that said, Nadal seems to be adapting his game and he's looking good, I think he will be around for a while yet so we have more years of them two battling it out.
But with Nadal, because of his injuries it makes me think it's very much a case of "what if". He's this good with having had a career full of injuries, so would he have been well ahead of Novak had he not been so unlucky with the injuries? It's not beyond possibility.
Speaks volumes just how good them 3 have been. Murray came the closest to really breaking it up but he couldn't sustain it, even before the injury and even now with the likes of Thiem and Medvedev, although they will force the odd 4 or 5 set match, on the whole, they are getting blown away. These are players who are mid 20's too. It's crazy, I don't think Tennis will ever be dominated like this ever again after them 3 retire.
« Last Edit: Sep 11, 2019 12:38:03 am by 7-King Kenny-7 »
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