After confirmation of Novak Djokovic's participation in all 4 Slams, Serena Williams' ex-coach says GOAT race will 'really start' in 2023
Serena Williams' former coach Patrick Mouratoglou recently claimed that the GOAT race will start in earnest now that Novak Djokovic has been cleared to play all four Grand Slams in 2023.
On Sunday (January 29), Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets to reign supreme at Melbourne Park for a 10th time. The victory also brought the Serb level with all-time men's Grand Slam title leader Rafael Nadal (22).
Djokovic and Nadal will begin their battle for Slam #23 at Roland Garros in the summer, where the latter is the defending champion and has won 14 of the last 18 titles. Nadal is expected to triumph there yet again, before the focus shifts to Wimbledon - where Djokovic has won seven titles, including last year.
Djokovic's participation at the US Open was earlier in doubt because of his COVID-19 vaccination stance. But with the US relaxing the rules for the entry of unvaccinated foreigners from May 11, the 35-year-old is now set to compete in New York - where he could possibly take the lead in the all-time Grand Slam title leaderboard.
In that context, Mouratoglou posted on social media on Wednesday that the GOAT race would "really start" now:
"Novak Djokovic will be able to play the 4 GS in 2023. The GOAT race will really start ..."
Novak Djokovic will be able to play the 4 GS in 2023.
The GOAT race will really start…
Djokovic is 12-0 in 2023, and has won his last 28 matches at the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic played with a 3cm hamstring tear, says Australian Open tournament director
Novak Djokovic had an injury-plagued build-up to his Australian Open campaign, as he sustained a hamstring injury at the Adelaide 1 International.
The Serb's participation at Melbourne Park was initially in doubt. But Djokovic played through the pain barrier to produce a remarkable campaign, dropping just one set during his triumphant fortnight.
these past two weeks 
A perfect 🔟 these past two weeks 🏆
@DjokerNole • #AusOpen • #AO2023 https://t.co/9tweLm22gd
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley recently told Australian radio network SEN that Djokovic played with a 3 cm hamstring tear:
"This guy had a three-centimetre tear in his hammy," Tiley said. "I saw the scans. The doctors are going to tell you the truth. There was a lot of speculation about whether it was true or not, it’s hard to believe that they can do what they do with those kinds of injuries. He’s remarkable, to deal with it extremely professionally."
Djokovic refused to get bogged down by the injury as he scripted more history at the year's first Grand Slam. With his win over Tsitsipas, Djokovic has also moved level with Serena Williams (10) for most Major titles after turning 30.