By Chris Oddo | Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Can Rafael Nadal catch Roger Federer in all-time Grand Slam titles? Novak Djokovic weighs in.
Photo Source: Christopher Levy
Rafael Nadal missed a golden opportunity to win his 14th career Grand Slam at the Australian Open when he fell to Stan Wawrinka in the final (he was 12-0 versus Wawrinka entering the match). But the 27-year-old still has plenty of time to catch up to all-time Grand Slam title leader Roger Federer if he can stay healthy.
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The question of whether Rafa can someday hold the record for most Slam titles was posed to Novak Djokovic after his victory over Tommy Robredo in Miami, and the Serb gave his two cents:
“Well, we'll see,” Djokovic said. “We can't really predict what future brings, but considering the results he had for only 27 years, it's possible, definitely.”
The six-time Grand Slam champion and Nadal's greatest rival at the moment says that Nadal's ability to keep evolving and improving as a player has been impressive to watch.
“The way he's playing on different surfaces, he keeps on improving his game year after year. Even though you look at Rafa's game five years ago you would think he has not much to improve, but he keeps on finding the little edge and little rooms for improvement, and he works on it. He's a hard worker. He's somebody that is very committed to the sport, and that's why he has so much success.”
But Djokovic cautions that a new crop of players is gaining confidence and momentum. It won't be easy for Nadal to win four more Slams, and he could need more than that if Federer himself can find a way to win more.
“But, again, it's not only about him and Roger,” said Djokovic. “There are other players that are able to win Grand Slams. Stanislas Wawrinka this year is the first Grand Slam winner, so something different is happening in our sport. We cannot underestimate or forget also the other players aside from top 4.”