Novak Djokovic backed to break Grand Slam record despite Rafael Nadal French Open loss

Novak Djokovic has been backed to end his career with the most Grand Slams despite his loss to Rafael Nadal in the French Open quarter-final. The Spaniard leads the race for the most men's Major titles with 21 while Djokovic and Roger Federer have 20 each, and the world No 1 has been denied the chance to equal his rival who could now extend his lead by winning a 22nd Grand Slam in Paris.

Djokovic defeated Nadal in last year's semi-final en route to winning a second French Open crowd but the Spaniard got revenge 12 months later, ousting the top seed 6-2 4-6 6-2 7-6(4) in the quarter-final. It means the world No 5 is still on to extend his all-time record of men's Grand Slam singles titles to 22 if he wins the tournament for the 14th time on Sunday.

But a Serbian former pro has now given his verdict, claiming the win will make the world No 1 even more hungry and help him end his career with the Grand Slam record. "This is a difficult defeat, but Novak will come out even stronger and more motivated to break the record in Grand Slams," Nenad Zimonjic told K1.

"Federer and Nadal had a huge advantage, but he overtook and overtook them. He will break the record that he lacks." The eight-time doubles Grand Slam champion also noted that Wimbledon was next, where Djokovic has won the title in the last three editions of the tournament, but advised his compatriot to play a warm-up tournament or risk having his ranking drop further.

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"Let us remind you, the next Grand Slam is Wimbledon," he continued. "Novak could come to London only as the sixth on the planet. He could be behind Stefanos Tsitsipas and Carlos Alcaraz. In order for that not to happen, he needs to