Nadal Ties Federer & Djokovic Atop 'Big Titles' Leaderboard
Nadal Ties Federer & Djokovic Atop ‘Big Titles’ Leaderboard
Spaniard’s summer hard-court swing reaps dividends
Rafael Nadal has drawn level with Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on 54 ‘Big Titles’ each by capturing his fourth US Open title on Sunday.
The Spanish superstar was emotional at the end of his epic five-set victory over Daniil Medvedev at Flushing Meadows on Sunday night, when the big screen showed highlights of all of his 19 Grand Slam singles championship crowns — second only to all-time leader Federer (20).
Afterwards, Nadal admitted, “[To] see all the things [that] I went through, [to] be able to still be here is so special for me. I went through some tough moments, physically especially. When you have physical issues, then mentally things became much more difficult. The emotions have been there watching all the success, all the moments that came to my mind in that moment.”
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Nadal’s fourth ‘Big Title’ of the 2019 season — Roland Garros (d. Thiem), the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome (d. Djokovic), the Coupe Rogers in Montreal (d. Medvedev) and the US Open — also draws him level with Djokovic for conversion rate in Grand Slam championships, Nitto ATP Finals or ATP Masters 1000 tournaments.
Incredibly, both Nadal and Djokovic have won 54 ‘Big Titles’ from 182 events for a conversion rate of 3.4. Federer, at 38 years of age, has also won 54 ‘Big Titles’ but played in more of these events (231) and has a conversion rate of 4.3.
Djokovic, who this week ties Jimmy Connors for third-most weeks all-time at No. 1 (268), has lifted three ‘Big Titles’ at the Australian Open (d. Nadal), the Mutua Madrid Open (d. Tsitsipas) and at Wimbledon (d. Federer). Federer, who lost to Grigor Dimitrov in the US Open quarter-finals, won his fourth crown at the Miami Open presented by Itau in March.
Current and Former Champions’ Big Titles Won (Records Since 1990)
| Player | Grand Slams | Nitto ATP Finals | 1000s | Total (Avg) |
| Roger Federer | 20/78 | 6/16 | 28/137 | 54/232 (4.3) |
| Novak Djokovic | 16/59 | 5/11 | 33/112 | 54/182 (3.4) |
| Rafael Nadal | 19/57 | 0/8 | 35/117 | 54/182 (3.4) |
| Pete Sampras | 14/52 | 5/11 | 11/83 | 30/146 (4.9) |
| Andre Agassi | 8/61 | 1/13 | 17/90 | 26/164 (6.3) |
| Andy Murray | 3/48 | 1/8 | 14/98 | 18/154 (8.5) |
| Boris Becker* | 2/26 | 2/6 | 5/51 | 9/83 (9.2) |
| Thomas Muster | 1/29 | 0/4 | 8/53 | 9/86 (9.6) |
| Gustavo Kuerten | 3/33 | 1/3 | 5/67 | 9/103 (11.4) |
| Jim Courier | 4/38 | 0/4 | 5/71 | 9/113 (12.6) |
| Stefan Edberg** | 3/28 | 0/4 | 1/24 | 4/56 (14) |
| Marcelo Rios | 0/26 | 0/1 | 5/56 | 5/83 (16.6) |
| Michael Chang*** | 0/50 | 0/6 | 7/86 | 7/142 (20.3) |
| Marat Safin | 2/41 | 0/3 | 5/87 | 7/131 (18.7) |
| Andy Roddick | 1/46 | 0/6 | 5/75 | 6/127 (21.2) |
* Becker’s four other Grand Slam titles came before 1990.
** Edberg’s three other Grand Slam titles came before 1990.
*** Chang’s one Grand Slam title came before 1990.