Federer casts doubt on Djokovic being tennis’ GOAT regardless of surpassing Nadal

Roger Federer has solid doubt on whether or not Novak Djokovic must be thought of the best males’s tennis participant of all time, regardless of witnessing the Serbian overtake Rafael Nadal on the high of the all-time males’s Grand Slam title standings. Djokovic made essentially the most of Nadal’s French Open absence earlier this month as he defeated Casper Ruud within the closing to elevate his twenty third Major trophy at Roland Garros however Federer is not sure whether or not that is sufficient to declare the coveted standing.

Djokovic has been in inspirational kind lately and has received six of the final eight Grand Slams he has entered. His victory over Ruud in Paris got here in straight units, as did his win in opposition to Stefanos Tsitsipas within the closing of the Australian Open in January.

Djokovic, whose first Major arrived again in 2008 when he received the higher of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga within the Australian Open closing, is the overwhelming favorite to win his third consecutive Wimbledon title subsequent month. But Federer has nonetheless questioned whether or not the 36-year-old is best than the likes of Nadal and Boris Becker.

After being requested by Swiss publication Tages-Anzeiger if Djokovic was the GOAT of males’s tennis, Federer responded: “I don’t know. What’s best, winning Wimbledon at 17 like Becker or Roland Garros at 36 like Novak? I don’t know.

“As long as Rafa plays, you can’t really answer. Then there are some records that can’t be broken.”

Federer himself is among the many most profitable gamers to grace the sport and dominated tennis between the top of 2003 and the beginning of 2010 as he reached 22 Grand Slam finals in 27 makes an attempt, lifting 16 trophies within the course of.

He went on to win one other 4 Majors earlier than calling time on his profession final yr and at present sits at No 3 within the all-time males’s Grand Slam standings after touchdown 20 Slams, with Nadal at present second with 22.

Federer and Djokovic met in 5 Grand Slam finals whereas the Swiss ace was nonetheless taking part in, with the latter popping out on high in 4 of these matches.

Their most up-to-date battle in a Grand Slam showpiece occasion got here in 2019 at Wimbledon when the duo have been concerned within the longest ever closing on the event. After 4 hours and 57 minutes of motion, the Serbian ultimately claimed victory after successful a fifth set tiebreak at 12-12.

For a few years, pundits talked about Federer as being thought to be the best participant of all time. But with Djokovic nonetheless wanting more likely to land extra trophies on the highest degree, he may quickly transfer method forward of Federer and Nadal within the all-time title standings and put the GOAT debate to mattress for good.