Stefanos Tsitsipas Picks Roger Federer and Serena Williams as His GOATs of Tennis

Stefanos Tsitsipas played against Roger Federer four times in his career, losing two and winning two before the Swiss retired in 2022.

Stefanos Tsitsipas Picks Roger Federer and Serena Williams as His GOATs of Tennis

Serena Williams, Roger Federer, and Stefanos Tsitsipas (via X/Olley Tennis/Swiss Tennis)

For quite a while, the debate on who is the greatest of all time – GOAT – in tennis has raged. The likes of Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal have been in the conversation. During a conversation, Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed that Federer and Williams are his two greatest players of all time.

The four aforementioned players have won at least 20 Grand Slam titles in their careers. Federer, who retired in 2022, won 20 majors, Serena Williams retired in the same year after winning 23, Nadal claimed 22 before hanging up his racket in 2024, and Djokovic, the only one who’s still competing, has 24.

However, Tsitsipas always has an affection for Federer because they shared the same one-handed backhand technique on the court. Apart from that, they met four times on the court, with Federer winning two of their meetings. Tsitsipas stunned the tennis world in their first encounter at the 2019 Australian Open, but the Swiss defeated the Greek in Dubai and Basel later that year. However, Tsitsipas won their last meeting at the ATP Finals in 2019.

In an interview with Patrick Mouratoglou Tennis Academy, the 26-year-old revealed that Federer is his men’s tennis GOAT, not because of the number of Grand Slams he won, but the effect he had in the tennis world:

My GOAT would be Roger Federer. Obviously he doesn't have the most Grand Slam titles but - to me - it doesn't matter. To me, what matters is the effect that he has had on the world of tennis, not just on the world of tennis, but in global sports. I would compare it to the effect of Michael Jordan and I feel lucky that I have had the opportunity to share the tennis court with him. It was probably one of the most majestic experiences of my life, getting to step out on the court and play against him.

On the women’s side, Tsitsipas chose Serena Williams as the greatest player of all time. The pair’s connection runs deep as they once trained together at the Patrick Mouratoglou Academy. Also, the players practised side by side at the 2018 Hopman Cup:

On the woman's side, I would say Serena Williams, what she has done is superb. Her story is unique and I really look up to her and she has big charisma and also presence because I've spoken to her a few times and I've obviously practised with her, I feel like she really deserves that title.

The GOAT debate will continue for years, however, Djokovic has a chance to end it by winning his 25th Grand Slam, which will make him the player with the most major titles in the Open Era. He has an opportunity to do so at the Wimbledon Championship, which starts on June 30.

Stefanos Tsitsipas recalls French Open final defeat against Novak Djokovic

Stefanos Tsitsipas has revisited his heartbreaking defeat to Novak Djokovic in the 2021 French Open final. The match was the Greek star’s first Slam final and he won the first two sets. All was in perfect position for Tsitsipas until the third set when Djokovic rallied from behind in 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to win his 19th Grand Slam title.

Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas
Novak Djokovic, Stefanos Tsitsipas (Images via ATP/X)

During a guest show on Tennis Channel’s “Prakash in Primetime”, he opened up about how he felt about the loss, saying it was a big heartbreak: 

Heartbreak is necessary. I've experienced heartbreak on the tennis court for the sport that I love the most. I experienced a big heartbreak, not many years ago, actually, at Court Philippe Chatrier, losing to Novak Djokovic after being two-sets-to-love up, and that was heartbreaking. It was a difficult moment for me because I had a bad feeling the moment I entered the match, and I didn't know what it was exactly.

Tsitsipas’ last singles match ended in a disappointing defeat against Matteo Gigante in the second round of the French Open. The Greek star has now added Djokovic’s ex-coach Goran Ivanisevic to his coaching team ahead of the grass-court season.

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