Reuters
Sports analysts and fans have been boldly predicting that Rafael Nadal has a great chance to achieve the grand slam of major titles in a calendar year, a feat that was last achieved in 1969 by Rod Laver. However, the humble Spaniard said that the chances are really small.
The world number said that wining the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open this year or in a single year is just nearly impossible.
“What Rod Laver did was amazing. But at the same time it was a little bit easier in that moment than right now, because in that moment I think they only had two different surfaces (referring to grass and clay courts),” Nadal was quoted as saying.
“Now we have three and Australia and the U.S. Open are not exactly the same,” he added.
However, it is safe to say that Nadal has a great chance to achieve at least two Grand Slam titles this year considering he’s the overwhelming favorite to win the next major event – the French Open, the title that he has won for the past four years. He’s also a contender in Wimbledon since he’s the defending champion. His biggest goal – when asked — would be to win the US Open.
“The U.S. Open is a big goal right now. I would love to have that, the fourth. But I know how tough everything is and I’m happy with my results,” he said.
If Nadal wins the US Open, he’ll achieve the rare Golden Slam (all 4 major titles and Olympic gold medal). The only male player to have achieved this milestone was former world number Andre Agassi.
