Grand Slam exploits of Nadal, Federer and Djokovic hard to repeat: Shapovalov

Canada’s rising tennis star Denis Shapovalov believes the exploits of Grand Slam icons Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic are unlikely to be matched by any player in the future.Nadal last month lifted his 21st Grand Slam trophy to nudge ahead of Federer and Djokovic, both with 20 titles each.In his promising young career, Shapovalov of Canada has so far played a Wimbledon semi-final and two other Grand Slam quarter-finals. The 22-year-old last month checked out of the Australian Open at the quarter-finals stage against eventual champion Nadal. “I think it is unbelievable (winning the 21st Grand Slam). What he (Nadal) has been through (because of injury) and to see him on court after that and the way that he played at the Australian Open, it is inspiring to see,” Shapovalov said yesterday.“I have always been a huge fan of him and his game. It was definitely amazing to see him lift the 21st Grand Slam title. To see the other two (Federer and Djokovic) now – kind of – sweating a little bit (smiles) again while they try to beat him,” the Canadian said. “This rivalry is something that’s never going to happen. And to witness this (race to win the highest number of Grand Slam titles) is amazing. Like I said, the way Rafa was playing physically in Australia after taking a long break was something special. It was awesome,” Shapovalov said.When asked whether Nadal had nudged ahead in the ‘Greatest Of All Time’ race in tennis, Shapovalov quickly said: “Stop the call to judge who is the greatest of all time (smiles). Winning a Grand Slam title is a very big thing and he’s made it. Regardless of what they have done in tennis, all three of them are the greatest. That’s what has to be said. In my opinion, it doesn’t really matter who finishes with the most Grand Slam titles. All these guys have something special that tennis will never see again.”Shapovalov, the top seed at this week’s Qatar ExxonMobil Open, said the modern-day players stood a better chance of having long careers, if not being as successful as the “Big Three’ “I see today’s players having longevity just because the science of the sport is better. Players can stay on the Tour longer,” Shapovalov said yesterday. “In terms of results, in terms of what these three guys have done, I don’t think it’s ever going to happen again. I think it will be a long time before we witness something like this. But I do think in terms of longevity, today’s players will stay on Tour for a long time,” the Tel Aviv-born said.