Tennis News: Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic is maybe inarguably the greatest tennis player ever. Those 24 Grand Slams are difficult to overcome for other players. So is Novak Djokovic’s 390 weeks (and counting) being ranked number one on the ATP tour. The next best is Roger Federer with 310 weeks.

So one might wonder why Djokovic still doesn’t seem to get the love that Federer did. Maybe it’s because Djokovic was overtaking Federer at number one and defeating him in major finals and those who loved Federer simply didn’t like Novak Djokovic beating their favorite player? Either way, Novak Djokovic has never gotten the admiration he should have.

A great player who clearly does have respect for Novak Djokovic, however, is Andy Murray. After Djokovic won the US Open this past weekend, Murray told BBC Sport, “I said that after Wimbledon, everyone was saying it was a changing of the guard, but it wasn’t for me…He proved that he’s the best player in the world again yesterday and like I said it’s up to the youngsters to improve enough to take him.”

Andy Murray talks Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal return date might be known

Novak Djokovic was one set away from winning a calendar Grand Slam in 2023. He basically owns the Australian Open and hasn’t been beaten there since 2018 (he wasn’t allowed to play at the tournament in 2022), so how many majors does Djokovic win? 26? 27? According to Murray, “I don’t think he’s going to stop at 24 titles.” Murray is probably correct.

One player who could potentially give Djokovic issues at next year’s French Open is Rafael Nadal. Nadal has won the French Open 14 times, of course, and is always a threat to win the tournament. He’s been injured for much of 2023, however, and has already said 2024 will be his last year.

Nadal’s uncle and long-term coach, Toni Nadal, recently told El Desmarque de Cuatro that Nadal is planning on playing at the Australian Open at the beginning of 2024. Expecting Nadal to win that tournament, especially against a healthy Djokovic, might be asking too much of a player who would also be shaking off a bunch of rust.

Let’s say that Novak Djokovic wins the 2024 Australian Open. That would give him 25. Assuming Nadal has one of the best years of his career and wins the final three majors, he would only be tied with Djokovic for most Grand Slam victories. Of course, a certain player named Carlos Alcaraz will also have something to say about any other players winning majors in 2024.