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Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are the most successful tennis players in the Majors, leading with 22 crowns. Roger Federer clinched his 20th Major title at the 2018 Australian Open, building a healthy lead over his main rivals.
However, Djokovic and Nadal have been competitive ever since, stepping over the Swiss and continuing the solo battle. Novak secured his 10th Australian Open title a couple of weeks ago, following Rafa's 22 Major trophies and looking good to move on to the Spaniard for the remainder of the season or 2024.
After many years on the Tour, there is nothing separating Nadal and Djokovic at the Majors. The Spaniard has won 87.95% of the matches (314-43), and the Serb follows with 87.88% (341-47). Novak should surpass Rafa at the end of the season if he maintains this state of form and his usual level in the big four, with his sights set on the Grand Slam on the calendar.
Nadal only got one win in Melbourne, dealing with injury and missing out on the title and almost 2,000 points. Rafa defeated Jack Draper in the first round after a great battle before losing to Mackenzie McDonald. The Spaniard didn't show his best side from the start, and things got even worse after injuring his left hip late in the second set.
Djokovic was also suffering from an injury, injuring his left leg during the title match in Adelaide. The Serb arrived in Melbourne far from his 100%, struggling in the first three rounds and bringing in a doctor from Belgrade to help with a hamstring injury.
Novak overcame Roberto Carballes Baena, Enzo Couacaud and Grigor Dimitrov to find himself in the round of 16. The Serbian did not look good after the clash against the Bulgarian, but everything became clear from the next round.
With no pain in his leg, Novak got rid of Alex De Minaur and Andrey Rublev to reach the semifinals.
Latest news on Djokovic
Novak Djokovic has applied to the United States government for an exemption. "It becomes a tricky situation at that point.
You know, if you excuse the great tennis player, then a lot of the family members and so forth who've been trying to get in, it's a tricky situation, where do you make that call?" said Prakash Amritraj on the Tennis Channel.
"If you just look at it from a tennis perspective, he's sort of established himself as the best tennis player in the world," Amritaj continued. "So, for all of us, it's a huge shame not to have him at two of the biggest events that we have."
