Novak Djokovic must win all four Grand Slams to be best ever, says Greg Rusedski
Sunday 18 October 2015 13:42, UK
Novak Djokovic must capture a first, elusive French Open title before he can lay claim to being tennis’ greatest ever player, said Greg Rusedski.
The world No 1 captured the Shanghai Rolex Masters on Sunday, the latest accolade in a stellar year that also saw him triumph at the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open.
He lost the French Open final to Stan Wawrinka, meaning the Paris event is still the only Grand Slam missing from his CV, and Rusedski believes it is vital he amends that record.
He has to get the French, you have to have the full set in order to be called the greatest.
"He has to get the French, you have to have the full set in order to be called the greatest," the Sky Sports expert said.
"That's a major motivation for him. Had he won it this year, it would have been interesting to see where the motivation comes from because that's his big driver at the moment.
"It keeps him hungrier than if he had won all four majors this year. Rafa Nadal hasn't done it, Roger Federer hasn't done it. You'd have to go all the way back to Rod Laver for somebody who's won all four [in the same year].
"He'd be in a class of his own for the accomplishment of winning all four in a calendar year. It's so difficult to do that in the modern game.
"The key is at the French Open. Can he finally win that one?"
The Serbian master has ruled the tennis landscape throughout 2015 with his three Grand Slam victories, and his latest Shanghai prize took his current winning streak to 17 matches and 21 consecutive sets.
Yet Rusedski, the former British No 1, has not tired of seeing Djokovic lift trophies because the Serb is vying to become the sport's all-time top player.
"He's chasing history, I think that's exciting," Rusedski said.
"Do you remember when we had Federer dominating for a period of five years? We said 'tennis is great, he's so magical to watch'.
"Djokovic is going after history, we want to see a calendar Grand Slam. How much excitement was there in New York when Serena Williams went for the Slam? Djokovic is going to try to do that in 2016."
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