Very few could compete, and those that could, rarely did so for a sustained period of time.

One that could, however, was Andy Murray, who competed and defeated the so-called ‘big three’ on numerous occasions.

Murray won three Grand Slam titles, and reached world number one, during the most competitive period in the history of the sport.

But the question that often gets asked, is just how many Grand Slam titles would Murray have won if he played during a ‘less’ competitive era?

It’s not a perfect science, of course, but there are ways that number can be calculated, as the Brit lost several Grand Slam finals to members of the ‘big three’, and was also knocked out in the semi-finals when the last four were made up of Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer.

Andy Murray’s Grand Slam final defeats V Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer (eight)

Murray lost a remarkable eight Grand Slam finals to Djokovic and Federer, which would immediately send his Major tally into double digits.

2008 US Open v Roger Federer

Murray’s first Grand Slam final came against Federer at the US Open back in 2008, as he lost to the Swiss star in straight sets.

The Brit had already beaten Nadal on his way to the final, and in a world without the big three, would’ve picked up his first Major title at just 21 years of age.

2010 Australian Open v Roger Federer

It was another tough test against Federer in 2010, as Murray lost once more in straight sets, this time falling 6-7 (11-13), in the final set breaker.

Again, Murray had taken down Nadal on his way to the final, as the Spaniard retired injured against him in the quarter-finals.

2011 Australian Open v Novak Djokovic

Murray’s first Major final against the Serb was unsuccessful, as he lost without picking up a set once more.

Losing to Djokovic on the big occasions became an unfortunate reoccurring theme, as he would’ve racked up Slam titles pretty quickly if he didn’t have him to contend with.

2012 Wimbledon v Roger Federer

The Brit won his first set at a Grand Slam final in 2012, as he took the lead against Federer at his home tournament, before eventually falling in four.

It was the last time that he faced off against the 43-year-old in a Slam final, having lost on all three occasions.

2013 Australian Open v Novak Djokovic

Having finally won his first Slam against Djokovic at the US Open the year prior, the status quo was restored in Melbourne just a few months later.

His Slam final record slumped to 1-5, as Murray lost in four sets to the Serb at the 2013 Australian Open.

2015 Australian Open v Novak Djokovic

Again falling short against Djokovic in a Major final, Murray lost in Australia once more back in 2015, as Djokovic took the title in four sets.

It was a tough defeat, that left Murray on just two Major titles, but if Djokovic and Federer weren’t around, he’d already have been at eight.

2016 Australian Open v Novak Djokovic

His fifth and final Australian Open final defeat came in 2016, as Murray lost to Djokovic 1-6, 5-7, 6-7 (3-7).

In reality, Murray never won the Australian Open, but in a world without the big three, the Brit would’ve been the most successful player at the event in the Open era.

2016 French Open v Novak Djokovic

Murray’s first French Open final, and his last final defeat to a member of the big three came at the French Open in 2016, when he came up short against Djokovic.

Despite winning the first set, Murray was unable to bring home the title at Roland Garros, losing his eighth Grand Slam final.

Andy Murray’s Grand Slam semi-final defeats v Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer (three)

With Murray’s three Major titles, and his eight Slam Final defeats to the big three, in a world without Djokovic, Federer, and Nadal, he would be sitting pretty with 11 Grand Slam wins.

Things don’t end there however, as there were three further times that the Brit was knocked out in the semi-finals, when his three opponents in the last four were the aforementioned Serb, Swiss, and Spaniard.

Erasing them from existence would hand Murray a few more Major titles, which would put him close to the top of the pile.

2011 French Open

The ‘big three’ and Murray lined up alongside one another in the semi-finals of Roland Garros in 2011, before Nadal unsurprisingly lifted the trophy.

Murray may have lost to Nadal in the semi-finals, but in a world without the three greats, he would’ve picked up another Slam title.

2011 US Open

For the second time in a year, the four top stars in men’s tennis reached the semi-finals of a Slam.

Nadal beat Murray in the last four once more, before he fell to Djokovic in the final on Arthur Ashe.

2012 Australian Open

The final time the ‘big three’ and Murray all met in the last four of a Grand Slam was in Melbourne 12 years ago.

Murray lost to Djokovic, who went on to take the title, beating Nadal in a thrilling five-set final.

Andy Murray would have won 14 Grand Slam titles if Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer didn’t play tennis

Murray’s three ‘real’ Slam titles, his eight final defeats, and three semi-final losses against the big three, would combine to give him 14 Major titles, enough to see him move to the top of the pile alongside Pete Sampras.

The Brit would remarkably lay claim to the ‘Greatest of all time’ label, in this alternate universe, with his record-equalling number of Slam titles.

Some strong evidence for those who argue that Murray would’ve won so much more in the absence of the ‘big three’.

Fans will never truly know what would’ve happened if Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer never played tennis, but there is certainly an argument to say that Murray would’ve won a lot more during his time on the ATP Tour.

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