Novak Djokovic triumphed at Roland Garros-2023 and took over the baton in the hierarchy of Grand Slam titles (23 major trophies). After the Serb’s performance in Paris, talk of the GOAT (the greatest of all time) has become more frequent, and Ilie Nestase has a special perspective on this sensitive topic.

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Ilie Nestase: 14 Roland Garros for Nadal more difficult than Djokovic’s 23

In an interview with GSP.ro, Nestase talks about the battle at the top of the Grand Slam title hierarchy, where Jokerul has just overtaken Rafa.

“I don’t think it’s a fight, I don’t think it’s a personal fight between him (not Djokovic) and Nadal. I don’t see it. That’s what happened, right? It could have been the other way around, it could have been Nadal with 23. They’re both there, next to each other. Does it matter now that he took extra?

It’s important for Djokovic, but I don’t think Nadal will be jealous of it. Anyone else should envy him that he won Roland Garros 14 times. These 14 are more difficult (not difficult to win) than Djokovic’s 23.

Just so you know, winning 14 times on clay at Roland Garros?! I don’t think another player is born for this job” – Ilye Nestasaccording to the cited source.

Time makes all great champions forget: Borg, Laver, Sampras, Agassi

In the continuation of his speech, Ilie Nestase also says that time stands behind all results, no matter how brilliant they are. Great champions like Bjorn Borg, Rod Laver, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi are almost forgotten by many people (compared to the fantastic results of contemporaries Federer, Nadal and Djokovic).

“They are all there, Federer too. Let’s not forget those who came before, Borg, Rod Laver, the two-time Calendar Slam winner, Sampras. Or others that we have forgotten. Agassi, for example. Other.

They look at these things, while children and even elders only look at who is currently the champion. I think it’s the same in football. Pele was appreciated at one time, Cruyff was appreciated at one time, Maradona too, now Messi, right?

I can compare because I’ve seen them all and played with a lot of them, but I don’t think they do that, I think it’s more the media and the sponsors that support this Grand Slam thing. So? Djokovic will be forgotten with these 23, as others have been forgotten! And he will be forgotten!

We can only sit and look at the records when we open a newspaper or a sports magazine, but we can’t forget Nadal, we can’t! Or Federer, even if they retire. Djokovic’s turn will come, right?” – Ilye Nestas.

How many more Grand Slam tournaments will Novak Djokovic win?

At the age of 36, Nole seems to have somehow discovered the secret of eternal youth in sports. The Joker physically dominates his younger opponents by 10-15 years.

“I don’t know how many more tournaments Djokovic takes. Nobody knows, I don’t think he knows how much more he’s taking. Let’s see how long he plays, he is also 36 years old.

Around 38, maybe even 39, you start to lose a little bit of your energy. Federer lasted longer. Now it also depends on what Djokovic plays next. If he will play only in Grand Slam tournaments, he will have a chance not to get tired” – Ilye Nestas.

At the age of 76, Ilie Nestase became the first number 1 in the ATP ranking (since the introduction of the ranking, which still exists today). During his career, he won 64 tournaments, two of which were Grand Slam tournaments (US Open 1972 and Roland Garros 1973). He was also a two-time Wimbledon finalist (1972 and 1976).

To his credit, among other things, three Grand Slam tournaments in doubles (Roland Garros 1973, Wimbledon 1973 and US Open 1975) and two more in mixed doubles (1970 and 1972).

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Ranking of Grand Slam titles won

1 Novak Djokovic 23

2 Rafael Nadal 22

3 Roger Federer 20 etc.

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