Who has most tennis majors, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic or Roger Federer? How will French Open impact GOAT race?

Updated 10/05/2023 at 08:26 GMT

23. That's the magic number of Grand Slam titles that Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic want to achieve at the forthcoming French Open. The long-time rivals are currently locked together on 22, with this year's Roland-Garros being the next chance for both to forge ahead in the GOAT race. Stream the 2023 French Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com.

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The French Open is nearly here, and the accolade of holding the most majors in the men's game is once more up for grabs between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

The pair, now 36 and 35 respectively, are seeing injuries blight their 2023 season, with Nadal having been out of action since the Australian Open in January, and Djokovic withdrawing from the Madrid Open with an unspecified issue.

Djokovic himself has only played four times since February 27, an unprecedented state of affairs that sees the two tennis greats go into the 2023 French Open with huge levels of uncertainty around their form and wellbeing.

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We assess how the French Open at Roland-Garros could influence the 'GOAT' - Greatest Of All Time - race.

WHO HAS THE MOST GRAND SLAM TITLES IN TENNIS?

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are tied together on 22 Grand Slams.

Djokovic won the most recent major at the Australian Open, taking him level with his great rival.

Roger Federer held the record for a long period, but retired last year on 20.

In the women's game, Serena Williams also retired in 2022, ending with a tally of 23 Grand Slams, the most in the Open Era.

Australian Margaret Court holds the record for most of all time, with 24.

HOW WILL THE FRENCH OPEN IMPACT THE GOAT RACE?

With Nadal and Djokovic tied on 22 Slams, a win for either at Roland-Garros will see them take the lead in the GOAT race.

Two more slams will remain thereafter in 2023, with Wimbledon and the US Open to follow.

In theory, one of Nadal or Djokovic could end 2023 with the most slams ever won in the Open Era; 24.

WILL NADAL AND DJOKOVIC PLAY AT THE FRENCH OPEN?

Doubt remains over the participation of Nadal and Djokovic at the French Open, which starts on May 28.

Nadal has not played since the Australian Open due to injury and will not feature at the Italian Open, which is the last big event before the second Grand Slam of the year.

If Nadal does play the French Open it will be the first time he has done so without any competitive clay action under his belt beforehand.

Nadal's uncle and former coach Toni Nadal did however say that his nephew will play in Paris.

Djokovic, meanwhile, played at the ATP 250 event in Banja Luka, Bosnia, in April but was beaten in his second match by compatriot Dusan Lajovic.

He had spoken on the eve of the tournament of the issues he was facing with his elbow, wearing a brace around the area during his matches and saying it wasn't "in ideal shape".

He then withdrew from the Madrid Open, but is returning to action at the Italian Open, where he will be defending champion.

Carlos Alcaraz is set to replace Djokovic as world No. 1 after the tournament.

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Stream the 2023 French Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com

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