Tsitsipas claims ‘no one will ever match Federer’ despite Djokovic comments

Stefanos Tsitsipas has hailed Roger Federer despite claiming Novak Djokovic is the GOAT. The Serb became the first player in Open Era history to win a 24th Grand Slam title at the recent US Open, making him the undisputed best when it comes to the records. But Tsitsipas claimed that Federer’s impact on the sport was still unmatched even if he had been surpassed by Djokovic.

The GOAT debate has consumed men’s tennis for years, with Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic all breaking various records at different points in their careers. The goalposts for being the greatest have often been moved, with different fans using different criteria to determine their GOAT.

While some still believe that numbers aren’t everything, Djokovic has ended the debate on that front by winning his 24th Major title. Along with the Open Era record, he also holds the most all-time weeks at No 1 in the world and has several other achievements – including the most Masters 1000s in ATP history.

But some – including Tsitsipas – are still convinced that Federer is greater when it comes to a different aspect of the debate, his impact and influence on the sport. “Then it’s Federer, by a landslide,” the world No 5 told ekathimerini.com when asked who had inspired more people.

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“The finesse and beauty he brought to tennis, his magic on the court. I don’t think anyone else will ever match him.” It comes after Tsitsipas claimed that Djokovic was the best when it came to the records.

The Greek star added: “He is no doubt the best, going by numbers. He breaks record after record. He also has the thirst, even though he has nothing to prove anymore.” Tsitsipas isn’t the only player who has contributed to the GOAT debate in recent days, as even Nadal himself conceded to Djokovic following his rival’s triumph in New York.

“I think that with respect to titles, Djokovic is the best in history and there is nothing to discuss in that,” the 22-time Major winner told AS. Djokovic came from behind to surpass both Federer and Nadal in the Grand Slam race.

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Before the Big Three, Pete Sampras held the record for most Major titles at 14. At Wimbledon in 2009, Federer won his 15th to break the record. At the 2018 Australian Open, he then became the first man ever to win 20 Grand Slam titles. Nadal surpassed him last year, setting a new men’s record when he won his 21st and 22nd at the Australian Open and French Open respectively.

And it was Djokovic who leapfrogged the Spaniard this year. The 36-year-old won his 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open – tying Serena Williams’ Open Era record. And the US Open marked his 24th Major, meaning he stands alone in the Open Era but is tied with Margaret Court when it comes to all-time Grand Slam titles won.

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