Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic records will not change who is true GOAT
Roger Federer to miss US Open and undergo knee surgery
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Roger Federer is still likely to be seen as the greatest of all time long after the Big Three retire, despite what Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal could achieve. With the 40-year-old’s career now in doubt after he announced he would be undergoing a third right knee surgery in less than two years, it is expected that both of his rivals could overtake him in the Grand Slam race, with all three currently tied on 20 each. However, with the current world No 9 already seen as the GOAT for such a long time, it’s unlikely he will lose his association with the title in the long-term.
The ongoing GOAT debate has been more heated than ever with Federer, Nadal and Djokovic all tied on a record 20 Grand Slam titles.
Many believe the Serb would be the undisputed best male player ever if he can win the US Open next month, as it will be historic in more ways than one – achieving a record 21st Major as well as being the first man to complete the Calendar Slam since 1969.
Former world No 1 Federer has seemed less and less likely to add to his Grand Slam title tally since losing the Wimbledon 2019 final to Djokovic, having had two championship points on his own serve.
While the question of who can be the best player of all time has often come down to the number of the biggest titles in the game, as Federer’s career nears its end, it feels there may be a shift in how the GOAT title is determined.
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Even if Federer can return to professional tennis after his surgery, which he said would keep him out of the game for “many months”, it’s unlikely he’ll play much longer as he’s already reached his forties.
The Swiss tennis star’s announcement on Sunday (August 15) is arguably the closest he has come to the end of his career, despite retirement speculation being present since as far back as 2008, when he lost the Wimbledon final to a then-22 year old Nadal.
After revealing his decision to undergo surgery following checks with doctors, the 103-time title winner said: “It’s going to be difficult of course but at the same time, it’s the right thing to do because I want to be healthy. I want to be running around later and I want to give myself a glimmer of hope to return to the tour in some shape or form.
“I am realistic don’t get me wrong, I know how difficult it is at this age right now to do another surgery and try it.”
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As soon as the world No 9 hit post on his announcement video, many started reflecting on his career and the same sentiment remained – he has nothing left to prove in tennis.
With players, pundits and fans alike all agreeing that, if this is the end, Federer has left no stone unturned, this surely means he cannot be dethroned as the GOAT.
While his age may be his downfall in injury recovery and a lack of time left on tour to pick up more titles and records, it’s also one thing that helps Federer in the GOAT race, as it’s very hard to break a habit.
The Swiss tennis icon turned pro in 1998 and won his first Grand Slam in 2003 – two years before 19 year old Nadal won his first at Roland Garros and five years 20 year old Djokovic secured his maiden Major at the Australian Open.
By the time Federer beat his own recor to win a unprecedented 17th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon 2012 – by this time having well surpassed Pete Sampras’ record of 14 – Nadal had 11 Majors to his name while Djokovic had just five, and both were several years away from even beating Sampras’ tally let alone Federer’s.
While it says a lot about the Spaniard and the Serb for being able to catch up with someone so far ahead, it means Federer was already being labelled the GOAT long before his rivals.
The 40-year-old surpassed his idol Sampras’ record of 14 Slam titles at Wimbledon in 2009, when he won his 15th Major, and breaking this record would have cemented him as the best male player of all time.
Having been known as the GOAT for more than a decade, it will be tough to shake that label and its association with the Swiss star if and when his rivals surpass his records.
Federer has often been known as a leading athlete, often mentioned in sentences alongside the likes of Michael Jordan, Messi and Ronaldo, Serena Williams and Usain Bolt, and this iconic status is unlikely to be broken even long after the Big Three have retired.
It seems that, because Federer got there first, he will remain the long-standing GOAT in the minds of many even if the numbers point towards a brighter star in the men’s game. And either way, nobody can ever match Serena Williams.
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