Will Federer or Nadal be able to topple Djokovic's 'Big Titles' record?

Amidst endless millennial debates on who the GOAT is, Novak Djokovic has brushed past both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, when it comes to the number of 'big titles' won.

Big titles are Grand Slams, ATP Finals and Master 1000s for future reference.

With that being said, we analyse if Federer or Nadal would be able to get past the 'Djoker' with respect to the hugely impressive aforementioned record.

Djokovic won the Paris Masters on Sunday, and in the process, became the sole owner of the illustrious accomplishment.

Heading into the tournament in the French capital, all three players had a total of 54 big titles.

It was also likely that one of Federer's rivals would pass him after the Swiss maestro made the decision to pull out of the Paris Masters.

The 38-year-old had recently won the Swiss Indoors in Basel and wanted to take a break ahead of the year-ending ATP Finals in London.

And while Nadal looked set to meet Djokovic in the final in Paris, as the Spaniard had been in great form after taking a five week break, he ultimately retired from the tournament.

Before taking on Canada’s Denis Shapovalov in the semi-final, the 33-year-old suffered an abdominal injury.

This left Djokovic to play Shapovalov in the final, who he comfortably beat in two sets 6-3, 6-4. And victory in Paris means Djokovic now has 55 big titles, whereas Nadal and Federer are on 54.

Djokovic might have won the least amount of Grand Slams with 16, but he does have five Finals to his name along with 34 Master 1000 titles.

Federer’s total is made up of 20 Grand Slam wins, six Finals and 28 Master 1000 titles.

While Nadal has 19 Grand Slams and 35 Master 1000 titles to his name, the 33-year-old has yet to win an ATP Finals event in eight attempts. 

He has been in the final twice, losing to surprise surprise, Federer and Djokovic in 2010 and 2013 respectively.

So far this season Djokovic has managed to win four big titles. The first came at the Australian Open with a three set win over Nadal.

The Serbian followed this up with a win over Greece’s rising star Stefanos Tsitsipas, in the Madrid Open. Djokovic then beat Federer in a five-set battle at Wimbledon before going on to lift the trophy at the Paris Masters.

But, having gauged all three careers, it needs to be said that Federer might not be able to get this particular record. 

Judging by the way Nadal and Djokovic have been playing, the duo could last well into a few years after FedEx calls it quits.

Even then, we all know that Nadal, for one, is always putting his heart and soul into each and every point, and injuries and retirements are quintessential elements of his game now.

Djokovic, though, is the youngest of the three, and does not play the most gruelling of tennis always. Although he plays wholeheartedly for every point, his management of tournaments and fitness regime are second to none.

Even if the Serb might not be able to win the most number of Grand Slams by the time he retires, he should have the 'Big Titles' record safe and sound, in his hands.

Having said that, if Djokovic fails to win the ATP Tour Finals in London, chances are that one of Federer or Nadal would get back to 55, and claim the record jointly.

But, I do not think that it would be prudent to bet for either of Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal to surpass Novak Djokovic.

All three players are expected to attend the Tour Final in London, which lasts a week and begins on Sunday, November 10.