Bjorn Borg explains why Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are fan favourites ahead of Novak Djokovic

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4 years ago

Bjorn Borg (second row, second from left), captain of Team Europe, pose with the side's players after their victory in the 2019 Laver Cup tournament. (Getty Images)

Bjorn Borg was of the opinion that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have done a lot for the promotion of tennis compared to Novak Djokovic

Swedish tennis great Bjorn Borg explained why Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were fan favourites ahead of current World No.1 Novak Djokovic.

According to Borg, both Federer and Nadal have spent more time on the top which has made them special compared to Djokovic. Another factor that separates the two from the Djokovic is their attitude and work outside the court.

Bjorn Borg (second row, second from left), captain of Team Europe, pose with the side’s players after their victory in the 2019 Laver Cup tournament. (Getty Images)

“First, they spend more time at the top, and that makes them special. And then, in addition to being a great champion and playing good games, it matters your attitude and what you do off the track. I think Rafa and Roger have done a great promotion of tennis,” Borg said while speaking with Marca.

A former World No.1 and 11-time Grand Slam winner, Borg added that Djokovic was the best placed among the ‘Big Three’ in the race for winning more Majors.

“I also think that he has many options to be number one in titles because of the way he is playing lately. It is an interesting fight,” Borg opined.

The Big Three of tennis – Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer seen together during an event. (Getty Images)

32-year-old Djokovic, has 17 Grand Slam titles to his name and is third behind 38-year-old Federer (20) and 34-year-old Nadal (19).

“For me, they should wait until there can be an audience”

Borg also admitted that tennis would not be the same without the fans and it would strange for the players to play with empty stands. The recent outbreak of the coronavirus led to the suspension of all tennis activities by the ATP at least until July 13.

The ATP had suspended all tennis-related activities until July 13 in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. (Getty Images)

With the restrictions eased in many parts of the world now, tennis will resume soon and Borg was shared his opinion about playing without fans in the stand.

“The truth is, I don’t want to imagine it. Our sport will be one of the last to come back because it is global and there are players from all over the world. For me, they should wait until there can be an audience. I think it will be very strange for tennis players to play with the empty stands,” he said.

Swede Bjorn Borg is a former World no.1 and 11-time Grand Slam winner. (Getty Images)

He also added that he was in favour of the union between ATP and WTA under a single umbrella organisation. Borg said that he believed the merger of the two tennis organisations will make the sport even stronger.