Dubai: When Rafael Nadal claimed his 13th French Open crown in typically one-sided fashion against Novak Djokovic on Sunday to finally peg back Roger Federer in the Grand Slam race, one of the first to congratulate the Spaniard was the Swiss former world No. 1 himself. Having led his younger rival and friend in the Grand Slam title race for nearly two decades — Nadal turned pro in 2001, three years after Federer — they are now tied on an astounding 20-20 in Grand Slam crowns.
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The quartet of tennis majors are the most coveted, and to win just one marks you down as a great player. But over the years, these two have taken their on-court battle for supremacy to a never-before-seen level, leading to many heated debates over which of the two great men is the GOAT — the Greatest Of All Time. It wasn’t too long ago that many thought ‘Pistol’ Pete Sampras and his record of 14 Slams would stand forever, but Federer and Nadal have now made that look like a relatively paltry return.
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So let us consider this, if both men were to hang up their rackets tomorrow, which one would be regarded as the GOAT? Just consider their considerable Grand Slam haul — Nadal: Australian Open 2009. French Open (deep breath) 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020. Wimbledon 2008, 2010. US Open 2010, 2013, 2017, 2019.
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Now for Fed: Australian Open 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2018. French Open 2009. Wimbledon 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017. US Open 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008.
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So, sure, 20 wins for Nadal matches up against 20 for Federer, but with 13 on one surface (that is 65 per cent at Roland Garros), compared to an even spread over three of the four majors for Federer plus his one French Open crown, and things seem to point in favour of the Swiss. And the jewel in the tennis crown still has to be Wimbledon, where Fed has eight, compared to Nadal’s two.
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You could point out that Nadal could and should have had more than just two Wimbledon titles, as injuries have forced him to miss Slams in London — and Melbourne and New York — in the past. But then, the same could be argued for Federer, who has been absent for most of this year and has also previously missed out on major tournaments.
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‘Time, please’. Back to reality. Neither Federer nor Nadal have called it quits yet. Indeed, Federer, in his congrats to his friend Nadal on Sunday, said he “hopes 20 is just another step on the continuing journey for both of us”. Almost certainly, 2021 will be sure to bring more Slams for the pair, but if Nadal were to end up with more than his Swiss rival — he is a five years younger than Federer’s 39 years of age — I still believe Federer edges it.
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So sure, Nadal is undoubtedly the King of Clay, but when it comes to all-round greatness, you can’t touch Federer. Roll on Melbourne ...
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P. S: Oh, and then there is 18-Slam Novak Djokovic, whose only competitive loss this year came on Sunday against Nadal. The Serbian reigning Australian Open champion will be sure to have some part to play in the coming Slams as to who will eventually come out on top.
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