‘No need to fool yourself’ – Rafael Nadal concedes Novak Djokovic will win Slam race

Rafael Nadal has admitted that he believes Novak Djokovic will overtake him and Roger Federer in the all-time men’s Slam tally.

The so-called ‘Big Three’ each have 20 Slam titles after Djokovic added three in 2021.

With Nadal and Federer currently out injured, the 34-year-old Serb is still going strong as world number one.

As such, he is best poised to add to that tally of Major titles, something Nadal has now admitted.

“Djokovic is best positioned to be the [men’s] player with the most Slams,” Nadal told Vamos, on Movistar Plus.

“You don’t have to fool yourself. Federer is where he is and I am where I am. However, Djokovic is playing well and in a good moment.

“That is the reality and you can’t ignore it. We don’t know what is going to happen in nine months’ time, but he is the favourite right now.”

Nadal’s last Slam appearance came at Roland Garros earlier this season, losing to Djokovic in the semi-finals.

It was only his third ever defeat at the event, his second at the hands of Djokovic there.

The clay Slam is considered by most to be the Spaniard’s best bet at clinching a 21st Slam.

Meanwhile, Djokovic is a serious threat at every Major, proving as much by reaching all four finals in 2021 and going 27-1, only losing the US Open final to Daniil Medvedev.

Nadal is aiming to be fully fit and ready to compete at the Australian Open in January.

In what would be an unprecedented occurrence, Djokovic may miss the event for the first time since his 2005 debut due to vaccination restrictions for competing players, according to his father Srdjan Djokovic.

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