"I think Rafa will have to answer the question about the vaccination and the fact that Novak could not play" - Ivan Lendl on the Slam race between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal
Ivan Lendl recently shared his thoughts on the cat-and-mouse race between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who, along with Roger Federer, are regarded as the best players to have ever graced the game of tennis.
The Big 3, as they are popularly known, have dominated the sport in the last two decades. Nadal currently leads the Slam race with 22 titles, but Djokovic (21) and Federer (20) are close behind.
That said, Djokovic's chances have been hurt by the fact that he couldn't take part in the Australian Open as an unvaccinated player. The Serb's US Open fate is hanging by a thread for the same reason.
One of the game’s all-time greats, @DjokerNole, will be back in blue at Laver Cup London 2022. https://t.co/Ej4sQeUlJO
In an interview with Dnevnika Nove TV, Lendl claimed that politics should not play a role when you have to pick the best player. The legendary Czech-American believes it would not be fair if Djokovic is robbed of the chance to compete in the New York Major.
"I'm disappointed with Novak, I'm disappointed with Rafa," Lendl said. "At the moment, Roger seems to be out of it, because he hasn't played for a long time and he is also the oldest. If Novak wins the most Grand Slams despite that, I think we will have an answer. If Rafa wins one more title, I think he will have to answer the question about the vaccination and the fact that Novak could not play. And I don't think that's fair. I'd actually like to see someone have a 2, 3, 4 title advantage at the top."
"I don't care who it is, I don't have a favorite. Just for the sake of answering that question, to be clear. And, not to say 'If this man could play, maybe it would be different, your record is not that good.' That is not fair," he added.
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have dominated the last two seasons
Out of the last seven Grand Slam titles, six have been won by Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. Djokovic won three Majors last year, while the pair have won all three Slams this season.
Nadal won the Australian Open and Roland Garros to take his tally to 22 titles, while the Serb recently triumphed at Wimbledon to win his 21st Grand Slam title.
The two have faced each other on 59 occasions, with Djokovic having a slight 30-29 lead in the head-to-head.
At the end of 2021 many believed Djokovic would coast to the lead in the Slam race, but the vaccination controversy this year has turned things in Nadal's favor. It remains to be seen how the rivalry plays out in the coming years, as both players would be keen to hold sole bragging rights to the top spot.