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Andy Murray says Rafael Nadal’s 13 individual French Open titles stand as one of the best records in the sport. Speaking at the ATP 250 event in Cologne one day after Nadal defeated Novak Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 to equal Roger Federer’s men’s record of 20 Grand Slams, Murray spoke with admiration of his longtime rival and friend.
“An amazing achievement, I don’t think what he’s done at Roland Garros will ever be surpassed,” said Murray. “I could win another one and get to 14 or 15, whatever I finish in, but it’s one less than winning the same amount of grand slams as [Pete] Sampras did [overall] in a single tournament.
“It’s unbelievable. I think it’s one of the best records in the sport, maybe the best. I don’t think it will ever be repeated and I don’t really think anyone will come close to it.
When asked who he thinks will end up with the most Grand Slam titles, Murray believes that, setting aside an injury similar to his own hip problems, the record will fall to Nadal or Djokovic, who has won 17 Grand Slam titles. Slams.
“It is impossible to answer those questions because you never know. Someone can get injured, have a problem like mine and that changes your entire career. So as long as everyone is fit and if they all retire at the same age, I think it would be between Rafa and Novak.
“I think it would be between the two of them. If they both stay healthy and retire at the same time, I think it will be between those two. “
Murray, who has rejoined the ATP players council this week following the resignations of Novak Djokovic and other council members that formed the Professional Tennis Players Association in August, continues his return to regular competition after the one-sided defeat. by Stan Wawrinka in the first round Roland Garros. “He faces Fernando Verdasco in Cologne with a possible second-round encounter with top seed Alexander Zverev, whom he beat at the Western & Southern Open in August. While looking to improve his fitness and his form in preparation for next season, Murray says he’s still adjusting to his metal hip.
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“They told me it was going to be an 18-month process before my body got used to it. It’s not just the fact that you’ve had a new hip fitted, but it changes the way your pelvis moves and your body takes time to get used to that.
“So sometimes it has been good, I have played good tennis and I have moved well, and sometimes it has been a bit difficult, so I hope that in these coming months with more matches, more tournaments and a period of training entering the new year, that next year will be a good one. “
