Google News 'Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal should now feel a little...', says top coach
by SIMONE BRUGNOLI | VIEW 10706
Novak Djokovic failed to become the second man in the Open Era after Rod Laver to complete the Grand Slam. The world number 1 surrendered to Daniil Medvedev in the final of the US Open 2021, thus failing the appointment with history.
In the event of a triumph in New York, the Serbian phenomenon would also have overtaken eternal rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the first time, climbing to 21 Majors. Physically and mentally exhausted, there was the feeling that Nole's certainties collapsed one step away from the finish line.
The 34-year-old from Belgrade could decide not to return to the field in 2021, with the aim of recharging his batteries and appearing 100% at the Australian Open 2022. His sensational defeat will certainly not be displeased to Federer and Nadal, both in the pits due to injury and very far from the glories of the past.
In her column on 'El Pais', Toni Nadal analyzed the men's final of the US Open with great clarity. For many insiders it was symptomatic of the imminent replacement at the top.
Toni Nadal on the Big 3
"I think that both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will have breathed a sigh of relief (and I suppose Rod Laver will too) and that they should now feel a little stronger to continue with the race next year," Toni Nadal wrote.
The 60-year-old believes that even though Djokovic will be affected by his loss, he will find a way to restore his dominance next season. That said, Uncle Toni reckons Federer and Nadal will be in a position to resume their famous rivalry with the Serb next season.
"Djokovic will suffer from such a painful defeat but he will raise his head to face the next season. Federer and Rafael will see their spirits renewed," he added. "And the three will continue to give reasons to their millions of followers, still in suspense, to follow and support them for a while longer." Reflecting on the season so far, now that all the Grand Slam events are over, it is certain that this season belongs to Novak Djokovic.
However, his arch-rivals have played the 2021 season with injuries and complications. We can only hope for a more intriguing battle between The Big 3 next season. The ‘Big 3’ have dominated most of the conversations around tennis in the last decade.
While Federer and Nadal have been household names for a long time, in the last decade, Novak Djokovic has raced his way and earned tremendous success. At the moment, these three athletes are tied on 20 Grand Slam titles each.
