Rafael Nadal still favourite for 2023 French Open with Novak Djokovic 'on his heels' according to Boris Becker

ByNigel Chiu

Updated 28/02/2023 at 07:04 GMT

Eurosport expert Boris Becker is still backing Rafael Nadal to win the French Open, even though the Spaniard has suffered from injuries over the last nine months. Nadal’s latest injury saw him beaten in straight sets to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round of the Australian Open. Stream the 2023 French Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com.

Six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker believes Rafael Nadal is still the favourite for the French Open, despite the Spaniard suffering a hip injury during the Australian Open.

Nadal is the 'King of Clay', having won 14 titles at Roland-Garros, plus several other wins on the same surface during his illustrious career.

Novak Djokovic has won two French Open titles and is level on 22 majors with Nadal - while having also just surpassed Steffi Graf's legendary record for weeks spent at world No. 1 on Monday.

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“I personally don’t think Novak is thinking about the golden slam,” Becker told Eurosport when asked if Djokovic would be thinking about the 2024 Olympics to add a gold medal to his name.

“I think he wants to win the 23rd major of his career, which would be the record. The next major is Roland-Garros where, in my eyes, the favourite still is Rafael Nadal.

“But Novak is on his heels. So let’s see what these two great champions will deliver for us.”

Djokovic, Nadal and the now retired Roger Federer have been at the top of the sport for two decades, giving fans thrilling matches and epic moments which will be remembered forever.

They have won 64 majors between them, a number that is likely to increase and their rivalry is seen as one of the greatest ever in all sports.

Becker says people won’t realise the impact the trio have had until Nadal and Djokovic retire.

“I think Djokovic, together with Nadal and Federer, are not only sport icons, they are cultural icons,” he added.

'Nadal will always be my biggest rival, not Alcaraz' - Djokovic

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“They have a following that goes way beyond their respective countries - Serbia, Spain and Switzerland.

“The impact that they have on Tennis is huge. We will only truly understand how big they are once they all retire.

“I hope that Novak and Rafa will play for another year or two because we will benefit from that. They are not only tennis icons, they are not only sports icons, they are cultural icons.”

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The 2023 Australian Open was live and the French Open will follow on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

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