"Don't want one of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to get away with 25-26 Grand Slams" - Mats Wilander
Former World No. 1 Mats Wilander believes it would be great if Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic finish their careers with 22 Grand Slam titles each.
At the beginning of 2022, the Big 3 of Federer, Nadal and Djokovic were tied at 20 Majors each. It was Nadal who then won the Australian Open to become the first man to reach 21 Grand Slam titles.
The Spaniard extended his lead further by lifting his 14th French Open trophy in June. Djokovic then came a step closer when he won the 2022 Wimbledon Championships, before leveling things up at the 2023 Australian Open.
The next Major event is in Paris, which is considered Nadal's backyard. In that context, seven-time Grand Slam champion Wilander recently remarked that he would like to see Nadal and Djokovic finish their glorious careers with 22 Slams each.
"We can't imagine how Nadal or Djokovic feel about being tied at 22 Majors," Wilander said. "Now Novak is more relaxed after winning in Australia and matching Nadal. Because if they both end up tied with 22, great for me. I think both would prefer to share the spotlight and not take Federer out of the equation."
Wilander further suggested that if the Spaniard were to win his 15th Roland Garros title this year, Djokovic might be surrounded by doubts - especially with players like Carlos Alcaraz growing at a fast pace.
"I think we don't want one of the two to run away with 25 or 26 Grand Slams," Wilander said. "If Nadal were to get 23 at Roland-Garros, maybe Nole's doubts would creep back in, and questions would return as to whether he can beat the youngsters like Alcaraz. But at the moment I don't think they're thinking about it."
Facing Rafael Nadal on clay is harder than Novak Djokovic on hardcourt: Casper Ruud
In a pre-tournament press conference at Indian Wells, Casper Ruud remarked that Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic were the most challenging opponents to play against. However, he added that it was tougher to face the Spaniard on clay than Djokovic on a hardcourt.
"Rafa on clay has been the one that really I felt clueless what to do and chanceless as well," Ruud said. "It was really a one-way show, we played at Roland Garros last year and particularly best-of-5 sets is really difficult."
"Not taking anything away from Novak because whenever its important on a hard-court, he steps up. He'll break you or play some unreal rally. But just the general feeling every point being thrown at you with an incredible amount of top spin or how Rafa just locks you in one corner. You feel like you're on his home ground and in his backyard," he added.
Nadal defeated Ruud 6-3, 6-3, 6-0 in the 2022 French Open final to win his 22nd Grand Slam title.