John Millman rubbishes comment stating that Novak Djokovic should not be proclaimed as the ‘GOAT’ because of his rubber body
Novak Djokovic claimed his 3rd French Open title, as he took the lead in the 'GOAT' Race.
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Novak Djokovic (Source: Sky News)
Novak Djokovic became the first male tennis player to claim 23 Grand Slam titles, as the Serb defeated Casper Ruud in the finals of the 2023 French Open. The Serbian surpassed Rafael Nadal’s tally of 22 Majors, as he has officially started leading the ‘GOAT’ Race for the first time in his career.
Australian tennis player John Millman has lashed out at an article slamming Novak Djokovic for his GOAT status. In an editorial column by Ben Bramble in The Guardian, the writer stated that the Serbian should not be claimed as the GOAT ahead of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
Ben Bramble believes that Novak Djokovic has a rubber body, claiming that he is among the most flexible players to ever play the game. This has given the world number a very big advantage as compared to his peers.
“He is, as they say, ‘the rubber man’. This is an immense physical advantage. It allows him to extend points and grind his opponents down. His abilities as a returner and defender, and indeed a strategist who runs his opponents around, are part of his greatness. But his physical advantages, at the same time, reduce the greatness of his achievements,” said Ben Bramble.
John Millman criticizes renowned sports writer for ‘hateful’ comments towards Novak Djokovic
John Millman was certainly not impressed with the comments from Ben Bramble and took to social media to express his views on the same. The Australian tennis player stated that he clearly does not want to opine on the GOAT debate, as he respects all three of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic.
However, he claimed that disrespecting someone’s achievements because of their physical abilities is clearly unacceptable. John Millman also acknowledged the fact that the Big Three have all taken the game to another level. “What a load of tosh. I’m not getting into a GOAT debate. RF, RN, ND have all taken the game to another level. But to dismiss an achievement based on someone having a physical advantage of being a “rubber man” enters into the abyss of ridiculousness,” said Millman.
Novak Djokovic will be chasing a record 24th Grand Slam title at the Championships next month. The Serbian has claimed seven Wimbledon titles so far and is just one title away from leveling Roger Federer’s tally of eight. Moreover, the 36-year-old could claim his fifth straight Wimbledon title next month. He defeated Nick Kyrgios in a four-set final last year, after coming back from a set behind.
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Nirmit Mehta
(2425 Articles Published)