The GOAT debate – one of the best participant of all time – could be very fascinating in all sports activities and has been fueled during the last decade because of the rise of social media. Followers of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic declare that every of their idol may be outlined as the best ever.
The Massive 3 took tennis to a brand new dimension and broke virtually all information, hitting peaks that nobody thought potential earlier than their arrival. When Pete Sampras gained his 14th Grand Slam title on the US Open, nobody thought that three gamers would attain 20 Main titles within the house of 20 years.
The Massive 3© @madel_suravilla X account
Federer was the primary to succeed in 20 Grand Slam titles by profitable the 2018 Australian Open, which was the final Main title of his legendary profession. The previous Swiss champion was probably the most liked participant by followers in each nook of the planet and his influence on the game is unparalleled.
Nadal has gained 22 Main titles, because of the unimaginable feats he achieved in 2022 on the Australian Open and the French Open. Rafa’s information on crimson clay won’t be damaged for a really very long time and his 14 titles at Roland Garros are an virtually unreal quantity.
Nonetheless – in the mean time – Djokovic is the participant who leads within the all-time rating of Grand Slams gained. The Serbian legend has reached 24 and goals of profitable the twenty fifth subsequent 12 months to definitively detach Margaret Court docket. The 37-year-old from Belgrade additionally holds the report for Masters 1000 wins and the report for weeks on the prime of the ATP rating.
Having accomplished the puzzle by profitable the gold medal on the Paris Olympics this summer time, Nole has more and more established himself because the GOAT. Nonetheless, some followers and insiders imagine that Djokovic has had much less influence on the game than Roger and Rafa.
Zverev picks Djokovic
Not too long ago, Alexander Zverev was requested to decide on one of the best tennis participant ever. The present world No. 2 has positioned Djokovic in first place, Nadal in second place and Federer in third place.
The German champion put Bjorn Borg in fourth place, Pete Sampras in fifth, his compatriot Boris Becker in sixth, Andre Agassi in seventh, John McEnroe in eighth, Mats Wilander in ninth and Jimmy Connors in tenth.
In a current interview with ‘iDnes’, former ATP ace Tomas Berdych chosen Federer as the best of all-time: “Those who want to compare the best by numbers will find arguments for different options. The number of Grand Slams may be the most objective measure, but there are athletes who have left a great mark.
I think Roger will leave a bigger mark than Djokovic in the history of this sport. I think he is a bigger icon than Rafa Nadal. Perhaps, because he started this great era. What he did for tennis cannot be surpassed by any result.”
Totally different opinions
Nonetheless – in the event you analyze the numbers – it’s troublesome not to decide on Djokovic because the GOAT. The Serbian has damaged virtually each report and has had a long life with only a few equals within the historical past of contemporary sport. Novak was full on all surfaces and is forward within the H2H in opposition to Roger and Rafa.
Australian ace Nick Kyrgios additionally mirrored on this matter: “I mean the greatest of all time is definitely Novak, but that doesn’t mean if I said who would I want to go out there and want to watch, Roger Federer is the nicest to watch. He’s the most talented, makes the game look effortless, like the Michael Jordan of tennis. Without Roger, would there have been a Novak, a Nadal, someone to chase? But statistics, it’s hard to have a conversation anymore.”
The Massive 3© @KJtheTennisPro X account
In contrast to Federer and Nadal – who’ve each retired – Nole nonetheless has an opportunity to extend his titles in 2025. The 37-year-old from Belgrade is now not the participant to beat as he was a number of years in the past, he has been overtaken by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, however he has no intention of giving up and will give himself one final pleasure earlier than his retirement.
The previous world #1 is motivated to win the subsequent Australian Open, during which he will likely be a harmful opponent for anybody. Djokovic has gained in Melbourne ten instances, is aware of all of the secrets and techniques of the Rod Laver Area and has skipped the final tournaments of 2024 to arrange effectively for the ‘Completely satisfied Slam’. Subsequent 12 months, the Serbian ace will attempt to win the a centesimal title of his legendary profession by getting nearer to Federer and Connors additionally on this particular standing. Nole may succeed on this feat as early as the primary week of the brand new season.
