Roger Federer vs Novak Djokovic GOAT row answered by famed coach – Grace or consistency?

Novak Djokovic celebrates Serbia's WC qualification

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Renowned tennis coach Rick Macci has weighed in on the Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic GOAT debate. Both players have 20 Grand Slam titles and have been world No 1 for more than 300 weeks in their respective careers. Macci was recently immortalised on the big screen in King Richard, for helping forge the early careers of both Serena and Venus Williams.

Federer and Djokovic, alongside their long-time rival Rafael Nadal, have been the subject of an ongoing debate over who is the greatest male tennis player of all time.

The Swiss star was the first male player to reach 20 Grand Slams, and also became the first of the Big Three to break Pete Sampras’ former record of 14 Major singles titles.

However, Djokovic was able to catch up with his rival despite turning pro five years after Federer, and has since caught up to and even surpassed some of the 40-year-old’s former records.

The current world No 1 caught up to Federer and Nadal with 20 Grand Slam titles with victory at Wimbledon this year, and is tied with the Swiss on a total of 31 appearances in Major finals.

JUST IN: Djokovic Australian Open medical exemption rumours shut down by PM

The Serb also surpassed Federer’s record of 310 all-time weeks at world No 1 this year, and by staying at the top spot has now racked up 350 weeks and counting, and capped off the season by securing the year-end No 1 ranking for a record seventh time, surpassing Sampras’ record of six.

The most significant part of his season saw him come within one match of the Calendar Grand Slam – winning all four Majors in a single season – a feat none of his rivals have been able to achieve, with it last being completed by Rod Laver 52 years ago.

Having won the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon to start the season, he went on to lose the US Open final to Daniil Medvedev, but was still the first man since Laver in 1969 to win the first three Majors of the year.

The 34-year-old still hasn’t caught up to all of Federer’s records though, as the current world No 16 is still the only man to have reached all four Major finals in a single season three times, holds a record six ATP Finals titles, has been the oldest-ever world No 1, and still holds the record for most consecutive weeks at the top of the rankings with 237.

DON’T MISS
Djokovic fired warning by Australian Open chief – ‘No exemptions’
Raducanu lifts lid on surprise adrenaline-filled hobby outside tennis
Emma Raducanu Net Worth: How much is tennis prodigy worth?

Now, Rick Macci has given his verdict on the debate and admitted it’s an argument of two sides, revealing the reason he believes Federer is so highly-regarded.

The American is an iconic tennis coach, recently depicted in the movie King Richard for his input into the early careers of the Williams sisters and his decision to take on the pair and move the family to Florida to help them train.

He has also worked with other former world No 1s and Grand Slam champions including Andy Roddick and Maria Sharapova, so knows his stuff when it comes to the best players in the game.

“Everybody loves Federer because of the way he plays, so graceful and artistic and stuff like that,” he told Essentially Sports.

“[If] we judge it on how many Slams that you win you can’t argue with Djokovic. Because of the way his consistency and staying up there, and having very few speed bumps.”

With Federer, Djokovic and Nadal all currently tied on 20 Grand Slams, the Serb is the favourite to continue adding to his tally after his rivals have found themselves hampered by injuries, but Macci also admitted Nadal could pick up more Major titles.

He continued: “Why don’t we do this in a few years and you can ask me the question [again] because I think it’s still to be determined.

“It looks like Novak right now. But Federer is maybe the best player of all time in my opinion, but Novak might go down as the greatest.

“But don’t count out Rafa [Nadal] either. I think maybe there’ll be a tie.”

Source: Read Full Article