Is Djokovic the Tennis GOAT?

June 12, 2023

Sambad English Bureau

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By Prof Satya Narayana Misra*

With Roger Federer retiring, Rafael Nadal losing out early, Novak Djokovic remains the lone musketeer of Big Three after winning the record 23rd slam in French open yesterday. No other Big Three of earlier generation; Rod Laver, Ken Rosewall & Roy Emerson in the 60s, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors & John McEnroe in the 70s, had such a two decade long dominance.

Steffi Graf, herself one of the greats, believes that, in terms of depth, athleticism and quality, no previous generation was better. Pete Sampras, another all time great, calls Djokovic 'the greatest of all time.'

Records are on his side. Except for clay where Nadal beats him 20-8, in all other surfaces he is better than both Nadal and Federer. At six, his coach Jelena said : He is the greatest talent I have seen since Monica Seles. His athleticism is of a different level. Andre Agassi, considered the best returner ever, puts him a notch higher. He could equal anything on the court, from serve to slice to return.

Djikovic is multifaceted. He is a great mimic as he showed in 2007, with Maria Sharapova and Nadal as his favourites. He can speak several languages fluently. He lives on vegan diet as he is gluten intolerant. He can be generous to fault, as he promotes early childhood education in Serbia and has a coaching institute for disabled children.

The Big Three are not merely the greatest tennis players of all time. They are also role model for every youngster, the way they showed mutual respect towards each other, conducted themselves on the field, and eschewed petulance and rambunctiousness. Djokovic has a Buddhist streak, as he meditates regularly. He would possibly sulk, if asked if he is the GOAT! In an age of flamboyance, they were unusually discreet and demure.

Prof Misra is Emeritus Professor

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in the article are solely those of the author and do not in any way represent the views of Sambad English