"Djokovic will give absolutely everything to win most Grand Slam titles" - Schett on GOAT Race
ATP
Novak Djokovic is still not allowed to enter the United States, and right now, it seems that Rafael Nadal may have a huge advantage when trying to win his 23rd Grand Slam title.
At the moment, Nadal has the most Grand Slam titles among men when he triumphed 22 times, but Djokovic is right behind him with 21. However, the Serbian couldn't play one Grand Slam this year already, and it seems that the 2022 US Open will be another one.
Former WTA player Barbara Schett spoke about the so-called 'GOAT Race' and the way Djokovic may still become the person with the most Grand Slam titles in history in an interview for Eurosport.
"I think now he practices just like if he was going to the US Open. If there's a last-minute change, he's going to be there, and if not, his life will continue. I think Novak will still play for many more years; it looks like that."
Schett sees Djokovic practicing, and she also knows that he's maintained his body in peak condition, which should allow him to continue competing for years to come.
"His body is fine, he doesn't suffer too many injuries, and I think he will give absolutely everything to go down in the history books by winning the most Grand Slam titles. Clearly he's not far away. He's only got one more to go, and then he equals Rafa Nadal."
According to Schett, Djokovic can continue playing for much longer than Nadal at the moment. The Spaniard has struggled to put together weeks of consistent competitive action recently, which is why she thinks "the clock is ticking" for him.
"If you look at Rafa Nadal and Novak Djokovic now, I would say Novak can still play for another two, three years, or maybe even longer. And Rafa Nadal, I think the clock is definitely ticking there."
Schett also thinks that Djokovic would be the biggest favorite to triumph at the US Open. At the same time, she understands his decision but says that he must be the one who will live with the consequences of it.
"It's a rough year for Djokovic. You could see it in this way, and you can see it in the other way as a tennis player. It's horrible because I still think if he would go to the US Open, he would be able to play now; he is the favorite for me to win the title."
"I have absolutely no doubt about that because to me, he's the best tennis player, the most consistent tennis player out there. But then on the other side, he chose not to be vaccinated, and that's fine, but then he has to live with the consequences as well, that he can't enter certain countries."
