Tennis GOAT debate: The arguments for and against Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic’s 10th Australian Open title should end the GOAT debate. Our tennis experts deliver the arguments for and against the Serb being the greatest of all time. VOTE HERE.

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A debate that rages every year at every grand slam among tennis fans. Who is the greatest player of all time?

What is the criteria? Do we only include the Open Era? Should it be across men’s and women’s? Is it purely down to the number of grand slams you have won or is there more to it?

As Novak Djokovic claimed his 10th Australian Open title, Julian Linden and Scott Gullan discuss where the Serb sits in the discussion.

DJOKOVIC WILL BE THE GOAT
Argument by Jules Linden

Novak Djokovic’s 10th Australian Open title should end the GOAT debate right there.

In a golden era of all-time legends, Djokovic has proven himself to be the very best of the best so deserves the most coveted title in tennis.

Victory at Melbourne Park lifts Djokovic’s tally of grand slam titles to 22 - equalling Rafa Nadal’s all-time record for men and leaving the Serbian trailing only Margaret Court (24) and Serena Williams (23).

Barring some unexpected misfortune, he should storm past the two women who remain ahead of him before he retires but he’s already done enough to be the GOAT.

While the number of grand slam titles matters, it shouldn’t be the only factor to determine the GOAT.

If you put all the greats in the same tournament when they were at their peak, Djokovic would win in a canter.

Because what counts as much as the number of grand slams is the quality of the opposition and the obstacles they overcame.

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And on that note, Djokovic can thank Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for elevating him to the summit.

Not only did they force him to raise his game to a level that no-one else has come close to matching, but they provide added credibility to his wins because none of his grand slams have come easy.

For years, Djokovic was regarded as inferior to his two great rivals, but he learnt from them and eventually bettered them.

In their head to head matches, Djokovic has the edge over both and is the only one of the so-called ‘Big Three’ to hold all four majors at the same time after he completed a non calendar year grand slam in 2015 and 2016.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic kissing the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup trophy

And if he’s better than Roger and Rafa, then he’s also superior to everyone else because they are the benchmark.

The proof is the sheer volume of records he holds, and his versatility on all surfaces.

He’s played more grand slam finals than any other player and has been ranked No. 1 in the world the longest, more than seven years in total.

But it’s not just his impressive numbers that make Djokovic the GOAT.

What really sets him apart is his ruthless determination to keep getting better,

His dedication to fitness and his attention to detail is legendary and part of the reason he’s been at the top for so long.

He may never be as popular as some of the other candidates for the GOAT, but no player in tennis has been more determined and successful for so long.

DJOKOVIC IS NOT THE GOAT

Argument by Scott Gullan

To be the GOAT you have to do more than just win tennis matches.

There is another side to it, the inspiring part, winning hearts, being a pioneer for people, making the world better by offering something extra other than just being able to hit a ball over a net more successfully than others.

If you just want to go on tennis stats alone then it still doesn’t favour Djokovic. Despite winning on Sunday night, he still only draws level with Rafael Nadal who despite his injury setback at Melbourne Park is planning on fronting up to Roland Garros where he wins with one hand tied behind his back.

Whatever you think about Margaret Court, she has won 24 singles grand slams and in total 64 if you throw in doubles and mixed doubles.

Roger Federer

Rafael Nadal

Serena Williams still has more singles grand slams with 23 and we’ll get to her legacy piece shortly, Steffi Graf has 22 slams with the add on of being the only player to win each major at least four times and complete the Golden Slam (grand slam plus Olympic gold).

Then there is “Rocket” Rod Laver who is the only person to complete the calendar year grand slam twice. Djokovic has never done it once.

He hasn’t won the most Australian Opens (Court), he hasn’t won the most French titles (Nadal) or Wimbledon (Federer) while there are only three US Opens in his CV.

So what has Djokovic done for the game off the court?

Hmmm. We’re sure there is some charity work thrown in somewhere but what first comes to mind is the selfish, embarrassing Covid party he had during the height of the pandemic which further spread the disease.

Then there is the Australian visa debacle because of his anti-vax stance. That’s a personal choice which he is clearly allowed to have but trying to get into a country who has strict rules against it via a loophole was thoughtless, calculating and simply selfish.

Serena Williams has rubbed people up the wrong way from time-to-time, often with her petulant post-match behaviour, but this is dwarfed by what she has done for African-American girls and boys across generations as a trailblazer and hero.

Laver sacrificed a part of his career to benefit people like Djokovic given he was the pioneer of the professional era.

Roger Federer’s grace and humility inspired so many - including Australian Open women’s finalist Elena Rybakina - on a level significantly above his contemparies.

When talking about GOAT status the numbers should never be the deciding factor. Look at Muhammad Ali, he is regarded as one of the most significant sports figures of the 20th century and was described as the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time.

Did he have the best fighting record of all time? No, there have been plenty with better stats but for all the other factors which go into being the GOAT, he had them and some.

Novak Djokovic doesn’t.

Serena Williams

WHO ELSE COULD IT BE?

SERENA WILLIAMS (USA)

Grand slam titles: 23

Australian Open: 7 (2003, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2015, 2017)

French Open: 3 (2002, 2013, 2015)

Wimbledon: 7 (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, 2016)

US Open: 6 (1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2014)

Claims for being the GOAT - Holds the record for the most grand slam titles in the Open era when tennis went professional.

STEFFI GRAF (Germany)

Grand slam titles: 22

Australian Open: 4 (1988, 1989, 1990, 1994)

French Open: 6 (1987, 1988, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1999)

Wimbledon: 7 (1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996)

US Open: 5 (1988, 1989, 1993, 1995, 1996)

Claims for being the GOAT - Only person to win each major at least four times and also complete the Golden Slam (grand slam plus Olympic gold).

RAFAEL NADAL (Spain)

Grand slam titles: 22

Australian Open: 2 (2009, 2022)

French Open: 14 (2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022)

Wimbledon: 2 (2008, 2010)

US Open: 4 (2010, 2013, 2017, 2019)

Claims for being the GOAT - Holds the record (14) for the most wins at a single grand slam (French Open).

ROGER FEDERER (Switzerland)

Grand slam titles: 20

Australian Open: 6 (2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2017, 2018)

French Open: 1 (2009)

Wimbledon: 8 (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012, 2017)

US Open: 5 (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008)

Claims for being the GOAT - Holds the men’s record for the most wins at Wimbledon, widely regarded as the premier grand slam event.

ROD LAVER (Australia)

Grand slam titles: 11

Australian Open: 3 (1960, 1962, 1969)

French Open: 2 (1962, 1969)

Wimbledon: 4 (1961, 1962, 1968, 1969)

US Open: (1962, 1969)

Claims for being the GOAT - Is the only person to complete the calendar year grand slam twice.

MARGARET COURT (Australia)

Grand slam titles: 24

Australian Open: 11 (1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973)

French Open: 5 (1962, 1964, 1969, 1970, 1973)

Wimbledon: 3 (1963, 1965, 1970)

US Open: 5 (1962, 1965, 1969, 1970, 1973)

Claims for being the GOAT - Has won more grand slam titles than anyone else, not just in singles (24) but also in total (64) including doubles (19) and mixed doubles (21).

Originally published as Tennis GOAT debate: The arguments for and against Novak Djokovic