Rafael Nadal: Sky Sports pundit makes bold Roger Federer prediction after Italian Open win
RAFAEL NADAL can hunt down Roger Federer’s career haul of ATP Tour titles.
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That is the bold prediction of Sky Sports pundit Leif Shiras.
Nadal clinched his 32nd Masters crown with a hard-fought win over Alexander Zverev in three sets in the Italian Open final on Sunday - 6-1 1-6 6-3.
A lengthy rain delay could have derailed the Spaniard, but he powered through the final set, taking the second of his match points to clinch his eighth title in Rome.
The win ensured it was his 78th ATP Tour title, moving him above John McEnroe on the all-time list of men with the most titles in the Open era.
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He’ll definitely make a run at Roger’s numbers, but I’m not sure about Jimmy
Roger Federer is second on 97, while Jimmy Connors remains out in front on 109.
While Shiras thinks Connors’ record might be a tall order, he’s not putting it past Nadal to surpass Federer.
“He’s going to end up in the International Tennis Hall of Fame,” Shiras said.
“Those are Hall of Fame numbers and he’ll definitely make a run at Roger’s numbers, but I’m not sure about Jimmy.
“We’ll see. I wonder if the emotion he felt was, ‘how many more years can I pull off these amazing wins’?
“He’s such a remarkable athlete.”
Nadal’s triumph also sees him move back above Federer as world No 1 as he prepares for the French Open which gets underway on Sunday.