With all members of the Big Three tied at 20 Grand Slams apiece, it's a race between
Roger Federer,
Rafael Nadal and
Novak Djokovic to see who will capture his 21st Major trophy.
World No.1 Novak Djokovic has been a man on a mission in 2021, capturing three of the season's four Grand Slam singles titles to join Federer and Nadal at 20. The year's final Grand Slam will be the
US Open, an event that Djokovic has lifted on three occasions (2011, 2015, 2018).
With all three men hoping to be the first to reach 21, renown tennis coach Darren Cahill believes that the only man who can stop Djokovic from achieving this milestone is Rafael Nadal.
"Nadal will try to stop Djokovic at the US Open," said Cahill. "If anyone can do that, it's him. Rafa loves to play in New York; he likes the conditions where the ball bounces high, having a lot of success in New York in the past."
The Spaniard has met Djokovic on three occasions at Flushing Meadows, with Nadal winning two of their encounters. However, these matches occurred between 2010 and 2013, so a potential matchup could swing in either player's direction today.
Nadal withdrew from
Wimbledon and the
Olympic Games, citing rest and recovery from injury. However, he will make his return to the ATP Tour at the Citi Open Washington this summer.
"Rafa will play Washington, Canada and Cincinnati to shape his form, and he should challenge Novak in New York," added Cahill.