Nadal currently owns a record 22 Grand Slams.
Coach Carlos Moya insists Team Rafael Nadal is not discussing the race between Nadal and Novak Djokovic for the all-time Grand Slam record. Nadal, 36, owns a record 22 Grand Slam titles after winning it all at this year’s Australian Open and French Open.
After being denied participation at the Australian Open and then losing in the French Open quarterfinal to Nadal, Djokovic won his 21st Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. By winning Wimbledon, Djokovic moved past Roger Federer on the all-time Grand Slam record list and stayed alive in the race for most Majors with Nadal.
Djokovic was denied participation at the US Open, while Nadal suffered a shock last-16 loss to Frances Tiafoe. “The team doesn’t speak about that. He wants to be well, competitive. Obviously, there are comments, but no importance is placed on it.
There is enough pressure every day,” Moya told the ATP Tour website.
Moya: Nadal had to evolve
Nadal and Djokovic are still dominant forces in the game and top favorites for Grand Slam titles. “A 35-year-old player like Djokovic, 36 like Rafa, or 37 like Federer when he came back in 2017, for them to still be capable of winning Grand Slams, they have to evolve.
They have beaten the new generations for all these years. Everyone knows them better, but almost nobody can stop them, they can’t find a way. Rafa would have retired if he hadn’t evolved. Without that evolution, all three of them would have retired,” Moya explained.
The general belief is that the battle for the all-time Grand Slam record has come down to Nadal and Djokovic. Roger Federer, 41, hasn’t played since last year’s Wimbledon. Federer is expected to return to action later this month at the Laver Cup, but it’s unclear for how long he plans to play.
Nadal is often hampered by injuries, while Djokovic’s vaccine stance has prevented him from competing in two Grand Slams this season.
