Exactly one week ago Novak Djokovic lifted his 23rd Slam title, the 3rd at the Roland Garros. An extraordinary achievement that allowed him to overtake Rafael Nadal in the all-time record standings at 22, with whom he shared the record since January.
Winning yet another Major in his career meant so much to the Serbian, who for the first time as a professional was able to put his head up front in this incredible ranking, receiving further acclaim in the race to become the GOAT.
An incredible result which, however, still does not satisfy the Belgrade tennis player, who still has other prestigious results to pursue, first of all the much-dreamed-of Calendar Grand Slam, a feat achieved in history only by Rod Laver, and which he himself came close to two years ago , before surrendering in the final in the last act to Daniil Medvedev, in New York.
Together with the Spaniard and Roger Federer, he rewrote the history of the sport, updating any kind of statistics their predecessors had invented.
The number one in the world never hid, not even during interviews, how much these constant challenges to achieve and records to improve increased his hunger for victory.
The tennis player from Belgrade has admitted on several occasions that the other two components of the Big Three have continually urged him to do better and to overcome his limits.
Who lies among Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic?
Former British tennis player John Lloyd wanted to join the GOAT debate in a conversation with the Tennis Channel: “One of the things I like about Novak is that he’s always said he’s looking for records and that means a lot to him.
As much as I love Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, they always said they weren’t interested, and I don’t believe it for a second. Only Novak tells the truth because, in my opinion, every player wants records. That’s what they live for.”
And this is a focal point: do Federer and Nadal really not care about being the GOAT? Is there anyone in the Big 3 lying about this issue?
Being the best ever is an exceptional recognition for an athlete, but not necessarily the most important. Federer and Nadal have given a lot to tennis, as has Nole. Grand slams and records are essential, as is the love of the crowds.
Can Nole be considered the greatest? Probably yes, for what he did, for the results, the records, the lead in the head-to-head against his two rivals. Are Federer and Nadal less than him? No: without Federer and Nadal perhaps there would not have been Djokovic himself. They are three Hydra heads, functional and different from each other. Essential, either with the other. Then, reading the statistics, Nole is the one who is one step ahead.