Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal news: Roland Garros key to GOAT race, says Patrick Mouratoglou

The player who wins this year’s French Open will grab a big advantage in the race to be the greatest men’s tennis player of all time with Serena Williams’ coach Patrick Mouratoglou admitting Novak Djokovic and not Rafael Nadal might be the man to beat by the time Roland Garros arrives.

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Nadal currently leads the battle for most majors after he became the first man to win 21 Grand Slams with his victory at the Australian Open edging him one ahead of Djokovic and Roger Federer.

The French Open is next Slam on the calendar and Mouratoglou says this year’s clay-court Grand Slam could play a huge role in the GOAT debate.

“The clay season is going to be unbelievable. First there is going to be so much on the line because who wins Roland Garros is going to be the key,” the Frenchman told his YouTube channel.

“If it is Rafa then he is going to have two more Grand Slams than Novak. If it is Novak they go equal and Novak has better chance than Rafa on grass.

“This battle between those two for the number of Grand Slam titles is unbelievable so Roland Garros can be a key this season.

“If you look at the start of the season and the global situation, Novak has the lead for me. He is winning more Grand Slams than anyone every year so he is the huge favourite to win the most Grand Slams.”

There are a lot of sub plots ahead of the red dirt season as Djokovic will start his campaign undercooked as he has only played one tournament this year due to his vaccination status.

Meanwhi