“I know how difficult it is to win a Slam so for Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer to win 23, 22 and 20 is ridiculous" - Andy Murray
Andy Murray hailed Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer for their "ridiculous" Grand Slam tallies, calling their era the best in men's tennis.
On Sunday, Djokovic took the outright lead in the Slam race for the first time in his career, taking down Casper Ruud in the French Open final on Sunday in straight sets. With 23 to his name now, the Serb has a lead over Nadal (22) and Federer (20).
With the 'Big 3' dominating tennis to such an extent, Murray and Stan Wawrinka remain the only active players to have managed multiple Grand Slams during the same period.
Following his title run at the Surbiton Challenger at the weekend, the Brit expressed his respect for his colleagues, saying that he sometimes could not believe that he used to compete and win against them on the biggest of stages.
“I know how difficult it is to win a Slam so for (Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer) to win 23, 22 and 20, it’s ridiculous," Murray said. “Sometimes I watch them playing matches, and I’m like ‘wow, I can’t believe I used to win and compete against them in the biggest matches in the biggest tournaments.'"
Murray admitted that a few years down the line, people might belittle him of winning just three Grand Slams. However, the former World No. 1 added that every Major he won in the Big 3 era counts for a lot more.
He went on to proclaim that he's proud of everything he has achieved while playing at the same time as Djokovic, Nadal and Federer, especially the wins he stacked up against them.
“In 30 years' time, people who maybe don’t follow tennis that much will look back and say to me, ‘you won only three Grand Slams’. But each major that these guys win makes the accomplishments that I’ve had against them and tournaments that I’ve won against them, greater," Andy Murray said.
He added:
“I certainly didn’t win all my matches against them, but I won my fair few. I’m proud of what I achieved in what, without question, is the best era of men’s tennis by miles,” he added.
Andy Murray trails in the head-to-head record against all three; he's 11-14 against Federer, 11-25 against Djokovic and 7-17 against Nadal.
"He deserves it" - Andy Murray on Novak Djokovic being the Slam race leader
Andy Murray said that Novak Djokovic deserves to be the sole leader of the Slam race. He said that the 23-time Grand Slam champion makes winning look a lot more easy than it should be.
The Brit added that after Djokovic beat him in the final of 2016 French Open, he lost motivation, which led to Murray winning Wimbledon that year. He was hoping that it's the case again this year, where the Serb will come into SW19 as the four-time defending champion.
“I’m not saying he makes it look easy, but he makes it look a lot more easy than it should. I am happy for him; he deserves it. When he beat me in the final of the (2016) French Open, he lost motivation, so maybe he can take his eye off the ball for the next few weeks heading into Wimbledon. But congratulations to him – it’s an incredible achievement,” Andy Murray said.
Djokovic has returned to World No. 1 following his French Open triumph and will likely be the top seed at Wimbledon.