In a candid acknowledgment of his peers’ achievements, Rafael Nadal has identified Novak Djokovic as the greatest tennis player among the trio often referred to as the “Big Three,” which includes Roger Federer and himself. This statement comes after Djokovic secured his 24th Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, surpassing Nadal’s 22 and Federer’s 20 major titles.
Nadal remarked, “I believe that numbers are numbers and statistics are statistics. In that sense, I think he [Djokovic] has better numbers than mine and that is indisputable.” He further emphasized, “I think that with respect to titles, Djokovic is the best in history and there is nothing to discuss about that.”
This perspective highlights Nadal’s respect for objective metrics in evaluating tennis greatness. While personal preferences and emotional connections to players vary among fans, Nadal underscores that Djokovic’s record-setting achievements in Grand Slam titles and weeks as world number one position him at the pinnacle of the sport.
Nadal’s gracious acknowledgment reflects the mutual respect and fierce competition that have defined the rivalries among these three legends, each of whom has significantly contributed to what many consider a golden era in men’s tennis.
