Juan Martin del Potro is certain Novak Djokovic has what it takes to become the greatest men’s player ever and beat Roger Federer’s current mark of 20 Grand Slam titles.
Djokovic clinched his third US Open title on Sunday with a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 triumph over Del Potro, taking him level with Pete Sampras’s mark of 14 Grand Slams.
The 31-year-old Serb is now just three behind Rafael Nadal and six back from Federer, and Del Potro is convinced he has what it takes to end up with more Slam successes than both those all-time greats.
“Of course he can,” the Argentine said when asked if Djokovic can claim the record over Federer. “He has 14 already. He won two Grand Slams in one year. He’s healthy. He has a great team working with him.
“Hopefully him, Rafa, Roger will still fight for Grand Slams, because it is so nice to watch them fighting for the history.
“We just do what we can against them. But Novak has everything to make records.”
While not being drawn on whether he could end up with more Grand Slams than Federer and Nadal, Djokovic did credit the deadly duo for making him the player he is today.
“Maybe 10 years ago I would say I’m not so happy to be part of this era with Nadal and Federer,” the 31-year-old said. “Today I really am. I feel like these guys, rivalries with these guys, matches with Federer and Nadal, have made me the player I am, have shaped me into the player I am today.
“I owe it to them.”
Novak Djokovic will become the greatest player ever, says defeated Juan Martin del Potro
Novak Djokovic will become the greatest player ever, says defeated Juan Martin del Potro
- Argentine says Serb can overall Roger Federer's total of 14 Grand Slam titles.
- US Open win was Djokovic's second successive Slam success after his victory at Wimbledon.
World Cup flight, hotel bookings spike although US violence casts shadow
- Of the bookings made for the time frame of the tournament, 37 percent were in the month since the draw
- The data does not show whether more recent immigration raids in the US have had an impact on 2026 bookings
LONDON: Flight bookings to North America have spiked since the soccer World Cup match schedule was announced in December, data from travel technology firm Amadeus showed on Tuesday, with 18 percent of those reservations made by British travelers.
European travel to the United States has dipped since President Donald Trump’s election in November 2024, with many tourists deterred by greater scrutiny at border crossings.
Although a recent rise in violence tied to ICE detentions in the city of Minneapolis has amplified fears among some, data from World Cup watchers and Amadeus show that bookings are up, particularly among England and Scotland fans.
Of the bookings made for the time frame of the tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, 37 percent were in the month since the draw.
However, the data does not show whether more recent immigration raids in the US have had an impact on 2026 bookings. And a major sports event does not guarantee a travel boost to the host country, as shown by the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“The tournament is a chance to see the most talented football players in the world and fans will go almost anywhere to watch the finest, whatever the policies and politics of the host country,” said travel analyst Paul Charles.
“However, safety is a key factor too, so visitors will be hoping that calm prevails in host cities and that their travel insurance will remain valid for their planned trips in June and July,” added Charles, who is CEO of consultancy The PC Agency.
The largest spike of bookings per day was seen for the first match in New York City between Brazil and Morocco, with over 2,500 flight bookings, the Amadeus data shows.
Hotel bookings in Canada and Mexico have also risen, with the average occupancy of hotels in Mexico City on the nights ahead of three planned matches there at 21 percent, up from 4 percent for the same time last year.
