Djokovic vs. Nadal vs. Federer: the GOAT battle continues at the French Open
French Open tennis grand slam
It’s no surprise that the top three seeds for the men’s singles at the 2019 French Open are Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
All three players are considered as the GOAT (greatest of all time) and the grand slam in Paris could well be a defining moment for each of them.
World No.1 Djokovic heads to Paris as the reigning Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open champion. The Serb will attempt to become the first male player in the Open era to win four straight major titles on two occasions.
Standing in his way though will be his great rivals Nadal and Federer. Spaniard Nadal, the ‘King of Clay’, is seeking a 12th French Open title while 20-time grand slam winner Federer is returning to Roland-Garros for the first time since 2015.
The first-round draw has been made for Roland-Garros. Top seed Djokovic meets Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, Federer plays Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego and Nadal takes on a qualifier.
Nadal and Federer are on the same side of the draw for the French Open and will be on course to face each other in the semi-finals should they get there.
It could potentially also be a Djokovic vs. Nadal final or Djokovic vs. Federer final on Sunday 9 June.
So, who will win in France? The Daily Telegraph’s Charlie Eccleshare says: “Unless Djokovic enters full-on beast mode – which he well might – it’s hard to make a case for Nadal not lifting a 12th Coupe des Mousquetaires.”
Djokovic: Nadal is favourite
Nadal was in superb form as he crushed Djokovic in the final of the Italian Open on 19 May.
The 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 victory in Rome was Nadal’s first title of the year and puts him in good shape ahead of Paris where he is an 11-time French Open winner.
World No.1 Djokovic was no match for Nadal and he said: “Nadal [is the] number one favourite, without a doubt. And then everyone else.”
Nadal’s win in Rome was his ninth Italian Open title and also moves him one clear of Djokovic in the tally of ATP Masters 1000 victories. Nadal now has 34 while Djokovic is on 33.
Speaking in Rome he said: “[I’m] happy for the title more than winning against Novak. I am especially happy because the level was very high.
“What means most to me is this trophy. Rome is one of the most important tournaments of the year. [It’s a big] part of the history of our sport. To be able to win here again is the main thing.”
Djokovic vs. Nadal vs. Federer: how they compare
Novak Djokovic
- Nationality: Serbian
- Age: 31
- World ranking: 1
- Career titles: 74
- Grand slam titles: 15 (Australian Open 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019; French Open 2016; Wimbledon 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018; US Open 2011, 2015, 2018)
- Big titles: 53 (15 grand slams; 5 ATP finals; 33 ATP Masters 1000 titles)
Rafael Nadal
- Nationality: Spanish
- Age: 32
- World ranking: 2
- Career titles: 81
- Grand slam titles: 17 (Australian Open 2009; French Open 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018; Wimbledon 2008, 2010; US Open 2010, 2013, 2017)
- Big titles: 50 (17 grand slams; 34 ATP Masters 1000 titles)
Roger Federer
- Nationality: Swiss
- Age: 37
- World ranking: 3
- ATP career titles: 101
- Grand slam titles: 20 (Australian Open 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2018; French Open 2009; Wimbledon 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017; US Open 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)
- Big titles: 54 (20 grand slams; 6 ATP Finals; 28 ATP Masters 1000 titles)
Most ATP Masters 1000 titles
- 1. Rafael Nadal 34
- 2. Novak Djokovic 33
- 3. Roger Federer 28
- 4. Andre Agassi 17
- 5. Andy Murray 14
On why the GOAT debate will not stop once we know who has finished with the most grand-slam titles https://t.co/LPe95OxtBP
— Charlie Eccleshare (@CDEccleshare) January 28, 2019
Grand slam records and the GOAT debate
Djokovic’s victory in Australia earlier this year again opened the debate on which of the three will win the most slams and who will end up as the GOAT?
In a poll on its website Sky Sports asked the question: who will finish their career with the most grand slam titles? After nearly 15,000 votes cast, Federer had 55% of the vote, Djokovic had 33% and Nadal had 12%.
Four-time grand slam champion Kim Clijsters said on BBC Radio 5 live: “I definitely think Novak could beat Roger’s grand slam record. It will be interesting to see how he manages to maintain this level. The amount of focus and discipline he has put in to get to this level has to be extremely high and when he gets to this stage, he is then capable of showing the whole world.”
Australian tennis legend Laver, an 11-time grand slam winner, congratulated Djokovic on his victory in Melbourne and predicted that the Serbian can break even more records. Laver said: “I think Federer has maybe got another Wimbledon in him, but he is battling a little bit. His age and strokes are not quite the same as they were two years ago. But he is still a force to be fought with. When you look at the others, Novak and Rafa, I would think Novak will certainly. When you look at his age, and form winning the last two, I would say Djokovic can eclipse Roger.”
Speaking on Eurosport, Australian tennis icon Pat Cash said: “It’s not a popular discussion to say, is Novak the best of them all? It’s not popular. But you’ve got to face the facts, this guy might be the best of the lot of them. We can throw that out every time someone wins a championship that easily, but it’s a good conversation to have.”
Former world No.1 Mats Wilander, speaking in the Metro: “The next ten majors, I’d say eight of them will belong to either Rafa or Novak. One of the three always takes the opportunity to start winning again when another guy is out or not playing well. Obviously we’ve been very lucky. I’d be surprised if not Rafa or Novak reaches 20. The question is if Roger gets another two or three.”
In The Daily Telegraph, Charlie Eccleshare says that while Djokovic may well surpass Federer’s record, the debate on who will be the GOAT will be harder to decide. Eccleshare wrote: “To forecast definitively who will finish with the most majors is a fool’s game – as I know to my cost – but here is a prediction I am more confident of: in 20 years’ time the GOAT debate will be about far, far more than just grand slam titles.”
What tennis fans think on Twitter
I don%u2019t care what y%u2019all say..#Djokovic is the GOAT and the most complete player to ever exist. This doesn%u2019t take anything from any other player, it%u2019s just that when this guy is in his top form, he can beat anybody no matter how in-form they are.
— Ahmed El Badrawy (@Badrawyy) January 27, 2019
Rafa has played 20 GS less than Roger and has won only 3 less than him…
GS won (by Court Pace Index):
Nadal: 15-30 CPI: 11 GS (65%), 30-45 CPI: 6 GS (35%)
Djokovic: 15-30 CPI: 1 GS (7%), 30-45 CPI: 14 GS (93%)
Federer: 15-30 CPI: 1 GS (5%), 30-45 CPI: 19 GS (95%)#GOAT pic.twitter.com/hTWkGFwvHJ
— Vamos Rafa (@vamosRNvamos) January 28, 2019
Grand Slam Meetings:
Rafa Nadal 9-3 Roger Federer
Rafa Nadal 9-6 Novak DjokovicRivalries that considered Greatest.
Rafa Nadal Vs. Roger Federer
Rafa Nadal Vs. Novak DjokovicRafa Nadal, The Ultimate GOAT of Tennis %uD83D%uDC10%uD83C%uDFBE%uD83C%uDDEA%uD83C%uDDF8 pic.twitter.com/JZfulJ05m2
— SMٳ (@SMFutboI) January 27, 2019
Federer fans: Roger is the %uD83D%uDC10!!! Nadal fans : Rafa is the GOAT!!! DJOKOVIC : pic.twitter.com/2ZZbHkvH38
— Dylan (@dylansky007) January 27, 2019
Sampras was the greatest player of all time. Then Federer showed up. It seemed Federer’s career was done 5 years ago. But, no. He has established himself, without question as the GOAT. Nadal may get to 20 but, if he does, it will be due to The French Open. He’ll never be GOAT.
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) January 27, 2019