“I leave the GOAT debate…” Novak Djokovic ends the Big-3 GOAT discussion with a definite answer

Novak Djokovic has the final word in the ever-lasting 'GOAT' debate.

“I leave the GOAT debate…” Novak Djokovic ends the Big-3 GOAT discussion with a definite answer

L-R: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer ( Credits: Open Source/X)

The 24-time singles Grand Slam champion, Novak Djokovic, has recently stated in an interview that he is officially ending the never-ending ‘Goat’ debate. The said ‘debate’ has been continuing for a long time between ace tennis players including the Serbian, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Tennis fans and followers have always been comparing the three tennis players and trying to prove one being better than the other two. Tired of this debate, the World No.1 decided to step up to end this discussion for once and for all. 

We can have three answers. First one: I am the best. If we think that, one is going to say: “how arrogant of him! He doesn’t respect others. Second answer to say: “I don’t think I am the greatest”, being humble, which is possible. And the third one: I am who I am, I am proud of what I have accomplished but I respect other eras and other opinions and I leave the GOAT debate to other people. That’s my answer.
Novak Djokovic via L’Équipe

The reigning US Open champion gave three different answers to this question. He also said how one answer can lead people to believe that he is boasting and arrogant, while the other answer will make people believe that he is humble. Saying this, he concluded by stating that his final answer is that he is extremely proud of his achievements as well as respects the other era of players as well.

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Novak Djokovic is all set to play the 2024 Australian Open after having an extremely successful campaign this year winning three out of the four Slams in the year. Apart from winning a record-breaking 7th ATP Finals title, Nole also went ahead to complete the year on the top of the world rankings for the 8th time in his career.

A comparison between the careers of the ‘Big 3’

The ‘Big 3’, comprising of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, has dominated the sport for the past two decades or so. Each is considered to be one of the greatest players of the sport with their collective Grand Slam title amounting to 66. The trio have been at the World No.1 position for a united time of 924 weeks which amounts to 17 and a half years in all.

Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic
L-R: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic (Credits: Sky Sports)

Each of the three had their favorite tournament in which they featured. While Federer was considered the best at the grass court tournament at Wimbledon, Rafael Nadal is popularly known as the ‘King of Clay’ for his outstanding achievements at the French Open. Djokovic has continued to dominate much of the Australian Open throughout the years, winning a record number of ten times.

While all three have different playing styles and personalities, it is difficult to conclude just one player who is the best among the three.

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