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 resulting from hip discomfort, hoping to get well for the Australian Open.
Lately, Jack mentioned the everlasting GOAT subject. 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, carrying 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 but my 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 regarded good to grow to be world no. 1 at 36. Nevertheless, he injured his stomach muscle at Wimbledon, withdrawing forward of the semi-final and by no means repeating that degree!
Rafael Nadal, Subsequent Gen ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot
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 damage 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 exhausting 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 stomach 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 carrying 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.
Rafael Nadal, 2024 Paris Olympics © Stream screenshot
Nadal gave every thing 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 ultimate Olympic Video games in Paris and confronted Novak Djokovic within the second spherical.
Novak Djokovic, Wimbledon 2024© Stream screenshot
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.
Twenty 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, decreasing 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.
Novak Djokovic, Australian Open 2024© Stream screenshot
Djokovic received his tenth Australian Open trophy over Stefanos Tsitsipas. He added the third Roland Garros crown to his unimaginable assortment, changing into the primary participant with three titles in any respect 4 Majors. Novak misplaced the Wimbledon ultimate 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 observe that tempo in 2024, reaching just one Main ultimate.
He misplaced it to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in straight units, lacking a chance to extend his unimaginable tally. Djokovic added Andy Murray to his teaching employees forward of 2025, hoping to chase extra Main titles within the upcoming season and prolong his legacy.
“Who is the best player of all time? My heart is with Rafael Nadal. Growing up, I mirrored Rafa with every kit and new look. He is a left-hander like me and was iconic in my early years. However, if you ask my head about the GOAT, it’s obviously Novak Djokovic,” Jack Draper mentioned.
