Del Potro confident that Djokovic will break Federer’s 20 Grand Slam record

US Open finalist Juan Martin Del Potro has backed Novak Djokovic to surpass Roger Federer’s current mark of 20 Grand Slams. The Serbian now has equalled Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slams after he defeated Del Potro 6-3, 7-6 (7/4), 6-3 in the US Open final on Sunday, to lift up the trophy for the third time in his career.

When asked if the 31-year old Serbian could break Federer’s record, Del Potro sounded quite confident as he said, “Of course he can.”

“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 in this sport,” he added, as quoted by Hindustan Times.

The Argentine competed in his first Grand Slam final in nine years after the last time he reached a summit clash was back in 2009 when he had defeated Federer to win the title at the Flushing Meadows.

But since then, his career hasn’t quite rocketed up because of his concerns with wrist injuries where he has had four surgeries so far.

He was on the verge of calling it a day even after his ranking had dropped to 581 by the end of 2015 and after having missed out on at least 10 Grand Slam events.

But he is a strong candidate for any title when he is fit and the fact he has the most number of victories by anyone over world number one player just goes to show how dangerous he can become when he is without any injury.

Earlier this year, he went past Federer in the Indian Wells Masters final. The 29-year said that he is lucky to be competing in the same era as Nadal, Federer and Djokovic.

He said “Of course, it is a big challenge to take these kinds of tournaments to them. But also I think we are proud to be close to these legends.

“I’ve been during all my career learning with Novak, Roger, Rafa, seeing them winning these events very often. It’s amazing.

“I don’t feel sad that I couldn’t win Grand Slams because of them. I am just one of the guys that have lucky to be in the same era as them, and it’s great,” he further added.