Jack Draper wrapped up the season within the top-15 for the primary time in a profession. The younger Briton lifted two ATP titles in 2024, hoping for one more sturdy run within the season forward of us. Draper will miss the United Cup as a result of hip discomfort, hoping to get well for the Australian Open.
Lately, Jack mentioned the everlasting GOAT challenge. The younger Briton talked about two gamers, together with his coronary heart going for Rafael Nadal and his head leaning towards Novak Djokovic! A left-hander idolized Nadal whereas rising up, sporting the identical kits because the king of clay.
Nevertheless, Jack admitted Djokovic’s achievements, calling him essentially the most profitable participant of all time.
“My head says Novak however my coronary heart says Rafa” 😯
Jack Draper on who the GOAT of tennis is 🤔 pic.twitter.com/QktmPYRwTV
— Sky Sports activities Tennis (@SkySportsTennis) December 23, 2024
Nadal claimed 22 Main trophies between 2005 and 2022. The Spaniard struggled in 2021 and bounced again a 12 months later regardless of setbacks with accidents. Rafa conquered the Australian Open and Roland Garros within the first half of 2022.
Thus, he moved two Main crowns forward of Federer and Djokovic and seemed good to change into world no. 1 at 36. Nevertheless, he injured his belly muscle at Wimbledon, withdrawing forward of the semi-final and by no means repeating that stage!
Nadal struggled for the remainder of the 12 months, ending 2nd behind Carlos Alcaraz. With out kind or rhythm, Rafa made a gradual begin to the 2023 season and skilled a extreme hip harm on the Australian Open. The veteran underwent surgical procedure and missed the remainder of the season.
Keen to complete his profession on his phrases, Nadal labored arduous within the second a part of the 12 months. He returned to motion in Brisbane within the first week of 2024, scoring two wins and reaching the quarter-final. The veteran wasted three match factors towards Jordan Thompson.
He misplaced after three and a half hours and felt ache round his troubled hip, lacking the Australian Open. Rafa once more injured his belly muscle in February, staying away from the court docket till April. The king of clay couldn’t discover his A-game on his beloved floor.
Novak Djoković sporting his cross once more after defeating Rafael Nadal within the second spherical of the Olympics.
🇷🇸☦️#Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/6HhiBJ3SiD
— Primarily based Serbia (@SerbiaBased) July 29, 2024
Nadal scored 5 victories in Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros, struggling on the occasions the place he had a lot success in his higher years. Rafa entered his beloved Roland Garros with no kind or confidence. He confronted world no. 4 Alexander Zverev within the first spherical.
Nadal gave all the things in a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 loss, serving for the second set however failing to increase the battle. Rafa skipped the grass swing and remained on clay. He competed in Bastad for the primary time in 19 years and reached the ultimate, the primary in over two years.
The veteran handed a few difficult obstacles and misplaced steam forward of the title conflict, falling to Nuno Borges and ending runner-up. Rafa entered his remaining Olympic Video games in Paris and confronted Novak Djokovic within the second spherical.
Two nice rivals battled for the sixtieth time, and Novak scored a 6-1, 6-4 triumph. Nadal missed the US Open and the Laver Cup earlier than saying his retirement in October. The legend picked the Davis Cup Finals as his final occasion.
20 years after debuting for Spain, Rafa confronted Botic van de Zandschulp and suffered a 6-4, 6-4 loss in his final match of his profession.
Novak Djokovic conquered Wimbledon in 2022, lowering the hole to Nadal and passing him in fashion a 12 months later. The Serb skilled a stellar run at Majors in 2023, reaching 4 finals and lifting three trophies. Thus, he reached the variety of 24 and cemented his GOAT standing.
Djokovic gained his tenth Australian Open trophy over Stefanos Tsitsipas. He added the third Roland Garros crown to his unbelievable assortment, changing into the primary participant with three titles in any respect 4 Majors. Novak misplaced the Wimbledon remaining to Carlos Alcaraz.
Thus, he missed an opportunity to chase a Grand Slam at 36! Nevertheless, the Serb bounced again in New York, conquering the US Open and changing into the proud proprietor of 24 Main trophies. Novak couldn’t comply with that tempo in 2024, reaching just one Main remaining.
He misplaced it to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in straight units, lacking a chance to extend his unbelievable tally. Djokovic added Andy Murray to his teaching workers forward of 2025, hoping to chase extra Main titles within the upcoming season and prolong his legacy.
“Who’s one of the best participant of all time? My coronary heart is with Rafael Nadal. Rising up, I mirrored Rafa with each equipment and new look. He’s a left-hander like me and was iconic in my early years. Nevertheless, in the event you ask my head in regards to the GOAT, it is clearly Novak Djokovic,” Jack Draper mentioned.
