Twenty 2020 Questions: Whose Slam-race odds are better, Rafa or Novak?
It would be foolish to write off Nadal’s chances of replicating his 2019 season, but Djokovic has a higher ceiling.
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While Rafael Nadal moved to within one major of equaling Roger Federer’s 20 in 2019, Novak Djokovic closed his gap to four, and he has the added benefit of time on his side. One of the Serbian’s driving forces will only intensify as his chief rivals turn the page for another demanding year.
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Like Serena Williams, Federer has rewritten the book on the concept of prime years—yet it’s a double-edged sword when a player like Djokovic has yet to see what’s possible in his mid-to-late 30s. It would be foolish to write off Nadal’s chances of replicating his 2019, but Djokovic has a higher ceiling. He has winning records against his legendary rivals, and has established himself as the ATP’s best player under pressure—maybe ever.