The debate over who is the greatest tennis player of all time is one that will always rage on.
And, with each new generation providing their own superstars, there will always be bias prevalent.
However, with Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, it’s hard to deny their status as the three standout men to have played the sport.
Appropriately dubbed the Big Three, such is their excellence, they actually have their own debates within that legendary trio.
Now, one high-profile figure has joined in.
Speaking to DAZN ahead of this week’s Six Kings Slam, which could actually see Djokovic and Nadal face each other once again, Greg Rusedski sought to surge into the age-old debate.
After all, given the unprecedented level of dominance we have witnessed across men’s tennis, it’s an argument certainly worth having.
However, whilst he weighed up his options between the aforementioned duo and Federer, he came to one conclusion.
The 51-year-old admitted: ‘I look at the numbers and what Novak has accomplished is phenomenal. 24 slams and counting. Getting the Olympic gold this year is the icing on the cake. He has won the Davis Cup. He has won Slams. Nadal is the greatest on clay and the second greatest of all time, just because of what he has accomplished.
‘Also longevity I think Djokovic gets up to 26 or 27 slams, so for me, he is the GOAT and Rafa is second.
‘I look at Federer. Because of everything he has done. Djokovic has a better head-to-head against Federer and Nadal as well.’
Carlos Alcaraz also picked his tennis GOAT as recently as July.
Whilst it might be an unpopular opinion, there is certainly a fine argument to be made for Nadal being the true GOAT, were it not for injuries.
After all, out of the Big Three, none have suffered as much as he has.
And yet, he still has an admirable 22 Grand Slam titles to his name, having won the bulk of them during the peak years of Djokovic and Federer too.
It’s also worth mentioning that, across their respective careers, the Serbian superstar has missed just three Grand Slam tournaments through injury.
Nadal, shockingly, has missed 18, and withdrawn from a further five mid-way through.
The chances are that, had he even featured in half of those events at full fitness, he would have achieved plenty more majors to flaunt.
As it stands though, few can argue against Djokovic’s accolades.