World No. 1 Rafael Nadal will certainly break his arch-rival Roger Federer’s Grand Slam record before he hangs up his racquet, believes his former coach and uncle Toni Nadal.
31-year-old Nadal captured the Roland Garros and US Open crowns in 2017 to take his Majors count to 16.
But, the Majorcan is still three behind Federer’s tally of 19 after the Swiss legend secured the Australian Open title over Nadal in spectacular fashion, defeating him in a five-set thriller in Melbourne and then went on to lift his record 8th Wimbledon trophy during the summer.
Both Nadal and Federer benefited from the absence of former World No. 1s Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray and three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka, all of whom were out of action for nearly six-months due to respective injuries.
However, the three big men are expected to make their much anticipated return on the ATP tour at the start of the New Year and according to the estimates of the pundits, the trio will challenge Nadal and Federer for Grand Slam glory in 2018.
And Rafa’s ex-coach Toni thinks the Spanish superstar, who is five years Federer’s junior, will ultimately overtake the Basel native’s Slam count.
“I trust that Rafa will last long enough to beat Federer’s record,” he told Spanish outlet ABC.
“Next year it will be difficult to win many titles.
“Although I hope Rafael continues to prove he is the best on clay and win again at Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Roland Garros.”
