Novak Djokovic elevated to GOAT status alongside Serena Williams by Patrick Mouratoglou, ignores Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer

Patrick Mouratoglou, former coach of Serena Williams, claims Novak Djokovic can settle the GOAT debate once and for all at the French Open.

Novak Djokovic elevated to GOAT status alongside Serena Williams by Patrick Mouratoglou, ignores Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer

Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal (Credits: Latestly, TODAY, Biography, CBS Sports)

Tennis fans across the globe are pumped up today. In the finals of the 2023 French Open, history stands on the line for 22-time Major winner Novak Djokovic. The World No. 3 will take on World No. 4 Casper Ruud for the title decider. While Djokovic will contest in his 34th Major final, Ruud is just in his third.

Of the three, this is Ruud’s second time in the French Open finals having lost to Rafael Nadal in the last year’s final. Djokovic comes looking for his third French Open title in his seventh final in Paris. While Ruud stands no chance to see his rank jump, Djokovic can return to the World No. 1 spot if he wins the title.

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While a plethora of records are achievable for either player, for Djokovic his biggest ambition is on the line. Currently tied with Nadal for most singles Major by a man, a win in tonight’s Roland Garros final will see him lead the race for most Majors for the very first time. A 23rd title will take him ahead of Nadal and Steffi Graf (22-time Major winner) and will see him match Serena Williams‘ tally.

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Commenting on the occasion, Williams’ former coach Patrick Mouratoglou boldly asserted Djokovic can end the GOAT debate by winning the Major. The trio of Roger Federer, Djokovic, and Nadal have long been fighting for being the GOAT but there’s no conclusion to it. The lead in most Majors race would certainly bend the result in Djokovic’s favor and he would be at par with Williams as per the Frenchman. “Novak can tie Serena as the greatest tennis player of all times today,” tweeted Mouratoglou.

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Novak Djokovic would trail only one player in history if he wins the French Open

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Credits: Fox News)

For the final part of Serena WIlliams’ career, she had to see her achievements undervalued by comparison to Margaret Court. Taking nothing away from the Aussie great, Court won a total of 24 Majors in singles during her career. The only difference to Williams being she won 13 of her titles in the Amateur Era.

It won’t be a surprise if Novak Djokovic is now pitted against Court’s tally if he wins the French Open today. The competitiveness of the two Era’s should not be a parameter for comparison but for debaters, it continues to be a solid point. While Williams lost in four finals after winning her 23rd, imagining Djokovic undergoing a similar fate looks a bit far-fetched.

However, one can expect Djokovic to not be pressurized by these records when he enters the Phillipe-Chatrier against Ruud. He has certainly publicly claimed he wishes to end his career with most Majors but the mental prowess of him will definitely see him focusing just on the finals and not worry of the records.

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