‘He is the greatest player ever’: Novak Djokovic headlines incredible United Cup field

It’s been debated for more than a decade, but the men’s tennis GOAT chat is over, with a couple of Aussie stars saying there is only one winner.

Novak Djokovic has been called ‘the greatest ever player’ as he prepares for the Australian summer that begins with the United Cup. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images/AFP

The debate is over according to Wally Masur, who has seen and played against some of the biggest stars in tennis history.

Novak Djokovic is unstoppable and “the greatest player ever”.

His campaign for an astonishing 11th Australian Open will begin for the Serbian superstar in the United Cup on December 29 in Perth and Sydney before the 36-year-old heads to Melbourne where he could continue to rewrite the record books.

Djokovic already has won 24 grand slam titles – the most by any male player – with the greatest of all time debate seemingly over with Roger Federer now retired and Rafael Nadal battling injuries.

“I literally do not know how you stop the guy,” Masur said at the United Cup draw announcement in which Serbia was drawn to play China and the Czech Republic in the west before potentially the finals in Sydney.

“No question in my mind that statistically he is the greatest player ever with what he’s achieved thus far with the ranking, his head-to-head with Nadal and Federer, and then of course the slams which he’s still accruing.”

Novak Djokovic will head to Perth for the United Cup before his focus switches to winning an 11th Australian Open. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Djokovic went an absurd 27-1 in grand slams this year, narrowly missing out on claiming all four majors when he lost a five-set epic to Spanish superstar Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon.

He’s won four of the past five Australian Opens and only missed out on the 2022 title because he was kicked out of the country for not getting the Covid-19 vaccine and wasn’t allowed to compete.

He’s found ways to tinker with his game to eliminate any potential flaws, which is why experts have him as the clear favourite for the Australian Open and the main reason Serbia can challenge for the United Cup.

“When you look at players, most of them do a few things really well but they’ve also got holes that you can exploit or they’ve got days where they don’t mentally have the resolve,” Masur said.

“But Novak seems to be in control of everything.

“He’s always had an amazing backhand, but his forehand is now world class because he’s worked on it.

“He’s had troubles in the past with his serve, but he’s nailed it down pat.

“Physically, he’s got himself to an awesome level of speed, agility and endurance.

“And then he’s got this mindset where the more you push him and the harder you poke him, the better he gets.

“He’s got this siege mentality where he doesn’t care what the odds are against him or what the narrative is because he’s so complete on every surface.”

Djokovic claimed his 24th grand slam title when he defeated Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images/AFP

Two-time grand slam finalist Mark Philippoussis is in awe of what Djokovic has achieved, with the Aussie ace amazed by his unrivalled dedication to the sport.

“We talk about professionalism and doing everything you can on and off the court, but he’s taken that to another level,” he said.

“You have to eat, sleep and breathe the sport to win multiple grand slams, and not only has he won 24, he’s still continuing to see where he can improve.

“He looks at one-percenters everywhere because that counts in grand slams.

“The team he’s built around him, everyone stays in their lane and they know what they’re good at, so he picks the best of what they do.

“As incredible as a professional we’ve seen Rafa and Federer be, I feel like Djokovic has taken that to another level.”

Originally published as ‘He is the greatest player ever’: Novak Djokovic headlines incredible United Cup field