Novak Djokovic is the best of the big three and will end up with most Grand Slam titles, says former world number one Tracy Austin.
Djokovic captured his 17th Grand Slam title in Australia earlier this month, leaving him two behind Nadal and three short of Federer in the all-time totals.
However, Tennis Channel analyst Austin believes it is only a matter of time before Djokovic establishes himself as the undisputed best when it comes to numbers at least.
“At the end of the day I think it’s going to be Novak,” Austin said.
“First of all, he’s not had a lot of wear-and-tear so I think he has another four years.
“Another four solid years where he can win on any surface.
“When Rafa is still around, Rafa’s still the GOAT on clay but I think the fact Novak has that head-to-head already against Roger and against Rafa [gives Djokovic the edge].”
Austin also believes that Djokovic got the toughest deal out of all three of them, and that only accentuates his achievements even more.
“The fact of the matter is this is the young guy who had to breakthrough and every single major that he won, he’s had to play against Roger and Rafa.”
“Roger had a kind of staggered start where he got a couple in before the other two got involved in that three-way trifecta.
“I think that’s been toughest on Novak and at the end of the day I think it’s Novak who’s going to have the most”
‘Everything is in my hands now’ – Novak Djokovic gives Rafael Nadal warning over world number one battle
Novak Djokovic says it was important to him to regain the world number one spot as early as possible this season, and he is now confident of extending his points lead over Rafael Nadal.
Djokovic was usurped by Nadal at the end of last season as the Spaniard took his US Open title and finished the year particularly strongly.
Regaining the top spot in Australia was, of course, out of Djokovic’s hands, and had Nadal reached the semi-finals he would have emerged from Melbourne will his ranking in tact.
However, Nadal fell in the last eight to eventual finalist Dominic Thiem, which opened the door for the Serb.
“At the beginning of the season I wanted to get back to the top spot as soon as possible, Djokovic told SportKlub.
“The circumstances turned out to be such that Nadal fell out in the quarterfinals [of the Australian Open] and everything lined-up, now everything is in my hands.”
The task now shifts to cementing his position as world number one, and he Djokovic sees plenty of opportunity to do just that.
“Neither Nadal nor I have too many points to defend to Roland Garros,” he added.
“I hope for a successful season on hardcourts, especially in Indian Wells and Miami, where I have had a lot of success in my career
“But I have not recorded very good results in the last few years, so I have a chance to pick up some more points ”.
