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"Djokovic is the best in history," says Rafael Nadal in interview

Novak "has better numbers than mine and that is indisputable," the Spaniard told AS.

By Ed McGrogan
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Declarative statements about the greatest of all time (GOAT) in men's tennis have been made for years, but the truth is, not many people actually listened to them. Such is the often relentless, loud and coarse forum of social media, and the searing passion that each particular players' fans have engendered.

But what if one of those particular players makes a statement declaring that another player is the greatest of all time? Maybe the chatter will quiet down. Maybe some more folks will listen.

Maybe not.

I think that with respect to titles, Djokovic is the best in history and there is nothing to discuss about that. Rafael Nadal

Regardless, Rafael Nadal—a 22-time Grand Slam champion whose career still is not over—made waves on Wednesday after an interview with Spain's AS, effectively saying that Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, is indeed the GOAT.

"I believe that numbers are numbers and statistics are statistics. In that sense, I think he (Djokovic) has better numbers than mine and that is indisputable," Nadal said in the AS interview, translated and reported by Reuters.

"This is the truth. The rest are tastes, inspiration, sensations that one or the other may transmit to you, that you may like one or the other more."

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 11: Novak Djokovic of Serbia salutes Rafael Nadal of Spain after his semi-final victory during day 13 of the French Open 2021, Roland-Garros 2021, Grand Slam tennis tournament at Roland Garros stadium on June 11, 2021 in Paris, France. (Photo by John Berry/Getty Images)
© Getty Images

Not only has Djokovic surpassed Nadal and 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer in the major singles title chase, but he owns the most Masters 1000 titles—39, three more than Nadal and 11 more than Federer—and has won each of the sport's second-tier tournaments at least twice.

"I think that with respect to titles, Djokovic is the best in history and there is nothing to discuss about that," said Nadal.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 14: Novak Djokovic of Serbia and Roger Federer of Switzerland with trophies after the finish of the Men's Singles Final at The Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship at the All England Lawn and Tennis Club at Wimbledon on July 14, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images)
© Simon Bruty

Earlier this year, we produced a series called GOAT Race, which looked back at the times when this two-decade, title-collecting marathon between Federer, Nadal and Djokovic might have gone a different way: