‘There will be a void’ once Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer retire, says renowned coach

Alex Corretja believes that Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer “are going to be missed” once they retire “because they are myths.”

All three of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer share a historic 20 Grand Slam titles each as they all vie to become the most successful male player of all time.

However, Djokovic took advantage of Federer’s and Nadal’s injury problems to equal the tally after winning three of the four Slams this year. Both Federer, 41, and Nadal, 35, have been heavily affected by injury this season, leading many to feel their retirements may be looming.

Leading the pack of the next generation are US Open champion Daniil Medvedev and Olympic gold medallist Alexander Zverev.

Due to the quality of World number two Medvedev and World number three Zverev, seven-time Slam winner Mats Wilander feels Federer may face a reality check upon his return.

In an interview with Spanish news outlet Marca, iconic coach and analyst Alex Corretja said “I don’t think there will be a drought of great titles, but the post Rafa era is not going to be easy.

“Because he has set the bar so high that it is going to be impossible to find someone who does everything that he has done.

“I’m not afraid of the post Rafa era in terms of tennis players coming out, both in the men’s and women’s circuits, but I do think there will be a void because it has us all very badly accustomed to it,” the Spanish coach claimed.

“The important thing will be not to compare those who come behind with Rafa, because whoever you compare with him is going to lose.

“I think they [Djokovic, Nadal and Federer] are going to be missed because they are myths, but other stars always end up arriving that one way or another make you vibrate [excited] again.”

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