Double legend Todd Woodbridge shared his thoughts on the GOAT race between Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. While praising the Swiss star, Woodbridge suggested he has a negative record against closest rivals.
Mentioning Rafael Nadal’s staggering 13 Roland Garros crowns, the Aussie said that depends a lot on Roger’s quest for the leading position in the GOAT standings. Thirteen years after entering the top 5, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic will remain in the above group at the end of 2020.
The ‘Big 3’ have shared 57 main titles since Wimbledon in 2003 and have secured the number 1 end-of-year season in every season since 2004, except in 2016 when Andy Murray stole the throne. Roger, Rafa and Novak pushed each other to their limits and forged outstanding rivalries.
They have left all rivals miles behind, defying the injuries and younger adversaries to dominate men’s tennis like no other. For the third time in a row, Djokovic and Nadal are the world’s best players.
Novak secured number 1 at the end of the sixth year (Federer and Nadal were at the top five times) and led the charts with Pete Sampras. He won four ATP titles and did not lose a match before September.
The Serb won the title at the first ATP Cup and gained momentum ahead of the Australian Open, where he won the 17th major title to close the gap to Roger and Rafa. Novak couldn’t repeat that at the US Open when he was disqualified against Pablo Carreno Busta and missed a big chance to bring the GOAT race even closer.
Djokovic had another opportunity in Paris when he reached the Roland Garros final and faced Rafael Nadal in one of the games of the century. The Spaniard won two trophies in 2020 and lost the ATP throne to Novak after the Australian Open.
After his 13th Roland Garros crown, he saved the year in Paris.
Todd Woodbridge shared his thoughts on the Big 3
Despite the conditions and only three games in his legs since the end of February, Rafa dominated the field again, won the title without losing a set and switched to 20 major crowns with Roger Federer.
Nadal secured the top 2 award at the end of the 12th year and has the 21st major in 2021. Roger Federer only played one tournament in 2020, reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open and, thanks to the points he scored in 2019, was able to secure a place in the top 5.
After two knee surgeries in February and May, Roger should be ready to return next season to extend his career and fight for the notable titles. His last major title came in Melbourne in 2018, and he missed a big chance to add another after wasting two match points against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon 2019.
“Roger Federer is the greatest all-court player. I find it hard to say he’s the greatest of all time if he doesn’t have a winning record over Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Rafa spoiled Roger’s numbers by winning the 13th Roland Garros title in dominant style. If Roger Federer could have won three of them and Rafa only ten – in which case the Swiss would have been the greatest of all time, “said Todd Woodbridge. Photo credit: Tood Woodbridge Twitter
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