Bjon Borg and John McEnroe, captains of Team Europe and Team World respectively at the Laver Cup, talk about the GOAT issue, wondering if Roger Federer is the greatest of all time, or if that title goes to Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic.
These are days, for tennis, of total monopoly in the name of Roger Federer. The farewell to tennis of the Swiss champion, at the O2 Arena in London at the end of the Laver Cup, ignites memories and discussions, also on the concept of GOAT. Who is the greatest player ever? A debate that has actually been open for some time, and which will continue indefinitely in an era that brought Rafa Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam titles, Nole Djokovic’s 21 and Roger Federer’s 20 titles.
In London, two who took the floor as a couple have still brought home 18, Bjon Borg and John McEnroe, chosen to respectively lead Team Europe and Team World in the Laver Cup starting on Friday.
John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg: “That’s who the GOAT is”
McEnroe, in front of the Eurosport cameras, proposes a different vision: “If I had to choose the GOAT of tennis among these guys I would divide them, in my opinion, between the greatest on the grass, Roger, the most tireless player, Novak, and the greatest on earth, Rafa.”
In short, a vision that is also astute for McEnroe who then calls into question the rival of all time. Bjorn Borg, a diplomat, avoids the debate by focusing on the greatness of the protagonists and including Andy Murray on the list: “It was nice to watch them all this time together. I mean, what they have done for the history of the game is incredible.”
McEnroe can only share: “Incredible, yes, it really was. We lose sight of how incredible it was. But if I think in 10, 20 years, we’ll look back and say WOW. I don’t think there will be another guy who can win 20 slams. And I don’t think they would have thought of winning so many titles either.”