• Chris Wilkinson

Nadal's triumph makes him great - but not the greatest

Rafael Nadal became only the seventh man to win a career Grand Slam

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We were treated to some great tennis at the US Open this year, and we have witnessed a piece of history as Rafael Nadal completed his career Grand Slam.

It's his third slam in a row, and he just keeps raising his game. Just watching him play he seems stronger and is hitting the ball even harder. I think it is interesting that here he is, No. 1 in the world, 42 titles in his career and he is still trying to change parts of his game. He's tweaked his serve in the last few weeks - changing the grip and it seems to have made a big difference.

Now he has completed the set, his motivation will be trying to reach Roger Federer's 16 grand slam titles. Nadal is already on nine and is still only 24. Can he get more titles than Federer? There is no question that Nadal has the talent, but the crucial thing will be whether he can stay fit and injury free. The amazing thing about Federer is that he has managed to stay fit over the years - he has never missed a slam in 12 years, which is an incredible record. Nadal's knees mean that it is possible that he could get injured at any time.

Many people will be talking about Nadal as the greatest player of all time, but I think that's a bit premature. I still think he has got to prove he has longevity - if he is still around playing like this in two or three years that will be telling. But take nothing away from his achievements, he is certainly right up there and to be able to win on every surface is amazing. He will certainly go down as one of the great players, but if you look at the likes of Federer and Pete Sampras, Nadal still has a way to go to match their achievements.

Playing the Djoker
I think Novak Djokovic has been a revelation this week. Before the US Open I said I didn't think his game had progressed and he wasn't being aggressive enough. But ever since he came through a tricky five-setter against Viktor Troicki in the first round he has just got better and better.

He was unbelievable against Federer in the semi-final - he just refused to be beaten. I was really pleased for him that he got to the final - although he is a top-four player he seems to go under the radar a little compared to Federer, Nadal and Andy Murray. I am happy to admit I underestimated him - I didn't think he had the game or the weapons to do well in New York.

His serve has improved beyond recognition. Compare it with the beginning of the year when he looked awkward and had heaps of double faults - against Federer his first serve was up to 80 per cent. The fact that he has been serving well gave him a lot more confidence and he really upped his game - but the problem was that Nadal has gone to a whole new level.

I really thought it was going to be Federer's year again - he seemed to have improved going into the US Open and his victory in Cincinnati suggested he was getting back to his best. But you can't give away two sets in a grand slam semi-final and expect to win.

As for Murray, well he must be wondering if he will ever win a slam. He will now spend the next few weeks looking for a new coach, but I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't appoint anybody until the end of the season. Now that the grand slams are over for the year he's in no hurry and he won't want to rush into a decision - it is important to find the right person.

Novak Djokovic impressed at Flushing Meadows © Getty Images

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He needs to take a good look at the players who made the semis this week - he knows he should have been there. He needs to see the level those guys are playing at and work out a way of raising his game. There is no doubting that he has the talent to win a grand slam, and he can beat the top players in the world on his day. But it is a case of winning matches when it matters most - and it is often a case of surviving the early matches and playing your way into a tournament.

A fortnight is a long time in tennis and over best-of-five sets the better players play their way into form. As the second week progressed, Nadal and Djokovic just got better and better.

Looking ahead
Now that the final slam of the year is behind us the players need to maintain their focus for the remainder of the season. For the top eight players there will be the Tour Finals in London at the end of the year, and with Nadal and Federer having already sealed their place at the O2, the race is on for the others to qualify.

There are also a couple more Masters events to play, and Murray in particular will be keen to end the season on a high, and obviously some players will be involved in the Davis Cup. While some players will start to feel tired at this stage in the season, others will just be coming into form. Expect Nikolay Davydenko to have another successful run-in, and Djokovic could be another one to end the season on a high.

Chris Wilkinson is a former British No. 1

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