American Tennis Legend Draws Parallels Between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as the Australian Open Edges Ever Closer

Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are two leading players when it comes to grand slam titles in tennis. Now that the ATP season has ended, tennis fans are already looking forward to the next year, which will begin with the Australian Open. Tennis pundits have already shared their favorites for the first slam, with an American legend drawing comparisons between Djokovic and Nadal to make his claim.

Along with the four-time grand slam champion, other tennis pundits also shared the names of their favorites for the winner of the slam in Melbourne. Their opinions weren’t much different, but the American legend gave an example for his claim.

American legend draws comparison between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

Jim Courier, a four-time grand slam champion, made his choice while drawing a comparison between Djokovic and the King of Clay. “Betting against Novak in Australia is becoming almost the equivalent of betting against Rafa at Roland Garros. Rafa 14 times on the dirt, in Australia, its ten times for Novak, and he didn’t show us anything today or this week that is going to dissuade, I think any of us, from thinking that,” Courier explained.  

The ATP Finals 2023 is over, and tennis players will get a big break before the next tournament begins in 2024. The players will get a chance to warm up before they step into the first grand slam of the year. Tennis analysts have already started placing their bets, and Novak Djokovic is the favorite of all on the Tennis Channel.

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The remaining members on the panel, Andy Roddick and Nick Kyrgios, also chose the 24-time grand slam champion as their favorite to list the Australian Open trophy. As Courier used Rafa as an example to explain his choice, he used another player to talk about the return of Rafa.

Jim Courier worried about Nadal’s return

Tennis Hall of Famer Jim Courier expressed his reservations regarding the 22-time grand slam champion’s comeback to the ATP tour. As Rafael Nadal nears his comeback in the next season, Jim Courier remembers a bad move made by Roger Federer in 2021. His old Swiss compatriot, Nadal, took a hiatus from competitive matches during the grass court season in 2020.

Federer returned to the court the following season, in March, but he was not rewarded for his efforts. Back-to-back poor performances in various events for the 20-time Grand Slam champion destroyed his momentum and destroyed his mindset. While it eventually led to his retirement, we have to see the strategy with which Rafa returned to the sport.

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