Will Djokovic catch up with Federer?
Novak Djokovic won his first Australian Open in 2008 Djokovic has made no secret that he wants to eclipse Federer and Nadal to eventually finish as the greatest of all time in terms of Grand Slam titles. He has won more Australian Opens than any other player but said he will not be able to "comprehend" his achievements until he retires. "The intensity of the tennis season, especially if you're committed to play full season, which I am for many years already, doesn't allow you to kind of reflect and enjoy the success of a Grand Slam trophy," he said. "Already in a few weeks' time I'll be playing a tournament somewhere else in a different part of the world." Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash said it is hard to predict who out of the 'Big Three' will eventually be viewed as the greatest. "Federer has a chance - probably one more real chance - of getting one more title at Wimbledon. I still think he is up there in the best players on grass. He's still good enough," BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Cash said. "But the other couple of guys look like they are carrying on. Every tournament is different depending on lead-ups and injury. At this stage any little injury or setback is massive for the older guys. "You look at who he [Djokovic] has beaten in finals, he has beaten Tsonga and Anderson, but the majority of them have been against Murray, Nadal and Federer. He has beaten those guys more or less all the time. "That's one heck of a way to rack up those Grand Slam titles. "You've got to make a call on each of their success individually. It is very hard to make a call on the greatest of all time."Younger players need a 'bit of luck' to beat the 'Big Three'
Thiem said it is only going to take "small details" for someone to finally end the dominance of Djokovic, Federer and Nadal. The old guard have won the past 13 Grand Slam singles titles, with no other player triumphing since Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka at the 2016 US Open. Thiem, 26, challenged Nadal in a four-set French Open final before pushing Djokovic even further in his first major final on a hard court. Russia's Daniil Medvedev, whom Thiem will replace as the world number four on Monday, also took Nadal to five sets at the US Open in September. "It's unique in sports history that the three best players by far are playing in the same era," Thiem said. "That's what makes it very, very difficult for other players to break through. "You have to beat at least two of them to win a big title. Almost all players failed to do that. That's what makes it so tough." Thiem led Djokovic by two sets to one and missed a break point for a 2-1 lead in the fourth set. That proved pivotal as a resurgent Djokovic fought back to win in three hours 59 minutes. "It could have gone either way for Daniil in the US Open and for me here," Thiem said. "There's nothing special to say about it. It takes nothing more than just little bit luck, little details there."'Heir apparent' Thiem is ready to win Roland Garros - Cash
Thiem (R) has twice lost to Nadal in the French Open final, but beat him in this year's Australian Open Despite another disappointing loss at a Grand Slam final, it would be a major surprise if Thiem does not clinch that elusive major trophy sooner rather later. Cash said there is a "great possibility" Thiem could do it at the next attempt, on his favoured clay surface at the French Open in June. Thiem has lost both of the past two finals to 33-year-old Nadal, who has won a record 12 titles in Paris. "He is the obvious heir apparent to Rafa at Roland Garros. He's the only one who looks like he is able to stop him," said Cash, who lost the 1987 Australian Open final before winning his one and only major at Wimbledon later that year. "I don't think he is far from knocking off Rafa over five on [Court Philippe] Chatrier, which is Rafa's home. "No-one will beat Nadal there when he is in his top form but he's not always going to be in top form."DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
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