“You don’t get points for grace,” Wally Masur dismisses Roger Federer from the GOAT debate as he believes it is all between only Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

Former Australian Open semi-finalist Wally Masur expressed his views regarding the ongoing heated GOAT debate.

“You don’t get points for grace,” Wally Masur dismisses Roger Federer from the GOAT debate as he believes it is all between only Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal

British-born Wally Masur expressed his views regarding the ongoing two-horse race between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal. The former won his 22nd Grand Slam at this year’s Australian Open. Subsequently, he improved his undefeated streak at the Rod Laver Arena to 28-0.

Djokovic last lost a match at the Rod Laver Arena in 2018. Deprived of an opportunity to defend his crown last year, Novak Djokovic entered the tournament with a singular focus, to reclaim his throne and reassert his dominance on the ATP circuit.

His victory tied him with his nemesis Rafael Nadal atop the all-time Slam standings. Both have won 22 Grand Slam titles each. And look to improve their tally when Roland Garros rolls around. As such, former tennis professional Masur spoke at length about the possibility of the Serb finishing his career as the proverbial “GOAT” in the men’s game.

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Amazing Points Between Novak Djokovic & Rafael Nadal (source: Youtube)

During an interview with Grand Slam Daily, the 59-year-old expressed his vehement sentiments regarding the Big Three. When asked whether Djokovic’s dominant straight-sets win over Stefanos Tsitsipas cemented him as the GOAT, Masur said, “Not yet.”

He qualified his statement by reminding the interviewer that Nadal had also won the same prize money. “Rafa’s got 22 slams [as well]. “I’m just going to go with the numbers,” added Masur. His words suggest that the debate is in full swing. 

Notably, there’s nothing to separate the two at the moment. Their Grand Slam results from this point forward will give a clearer picture. As to who is the greatest men’s tennis player of all time, Rafael Nadal has won 36 Masters 1000 titles as opposed to Novak Djokovic’s 38. It felt as if Masur skipped a monumental name on purpose. But he clarified his non-mention of a certain Swiss tennis player. Roger Federer finished his career with 20 Slams and has since retired.

“He’s sitting on 20 (titles) – he’s not there, and he’s retired. You don’t get points for grace in my book. There are no style points. It’s not ice skating. I’m just going to go purely with the numbers,” added the 1987 Australian Open semi-finalist.

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Novak Djokovic substantially extends lead over Roger Federer with 33rd Slam final

Novak Djokovic & Roger Federer were amongst legends honoured at the 2022 Wimbledon Championships.
Djokovic & Federer during the 2022 Wimbledon Championships

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer contested multiple Grand Slam finals. Federer led the Slam race at one point with a 7-title lead over Spanish ace Nadal. While the Serb had a single Major title to boast of, the Swiss had won 16. They contested the longest Wimbledon final of all time in 2019. Djokovic got the better of Federer in a final set tie-break. 

The match is regarded as one of the turning points of the GOAT debate. Since then, the race has been turned on its head. Djokovic surpassed Federer last year. By registering a seventh Wimbledon crown over Australian bullet Nick Kyrgios. 

The Serb added another Major title to his name at this year’s Australian Open. Subsequently, he equaled Nadal’s tally of 22 Grand Slam singles championships. It is a popular belief that the 2019 Wimbledon Championship final changed the course of the debate.

Federer bottled the match from two championship points up. Djokovic soared instead and won the match, thereby providing a bitter conclusion to the Swiss’ run.

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