Rohan Bopanna, an iconic figure in Indian tennis, has definitively chosen the greatest player in tennis history, effectively ending the GOAT debate between Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, and Rafael Nadal. This debate has long been a central topic in tennis, with newer stars like Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz also being seen as potential future legends.
In a recent interview with Clay, Bopanna declared, “The greatest tennis player of all time is Novak Djokovic. His consistency over the years has been remarkable. Novak has achieved so many milestones and what he has accomplished is phenomenal. In terms of impact on our sport, I still believe Djokovic stands out.”
Currently ranked fourth by the ATP, Djokovic has held the number one spot for a record 428 weeks across 13 different years and has ended the year as number one eight times, both ATP records. He boasts a record 24 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, including ten Australian Open titles.
Djokovic’s rivalry with Nadal has been a highlight for tennis enthusiasts during the Open Era. They have competed against each other 60 times, with Djokovic leading 31-29 overall, dominating on hard courts 20-7, while Nadal leads on clay 20-9, and they are tied on grass 2-2. Djokovic is unique in having defeated Nadal in all four major tournaments.
Similarly, Djokovic’s rivalry with Federer is legendary. They have met 50 times, with Djokovic leading 27-23, including 13-6 in finals. Djokovic has an edge on hard courts 20-18 and on grass 3-1, while they are even on clay 4-4. He holds the most victories over Federer and is the only player to beat the Swiss star multiple times at his most successful major tournaments: four times at the Australian Open, three times at the US Open, three times at the Year-end Championship, and thrice in the Wimbledon final.
