Novak Djokovic has long since put an end to the debate over who is the GOAT of tennis. Some will still cling to Roger Federer‘s elegance, and others to Rafael Nadal‘s all-time records on clay.
However, the numbers speak for themselves and make Djokovic the best player to have ever wielded a racket at the age of 36.
His 2023 US Open title makes him the most successful tennis player in the Grand Slam tournaments, equalling Margaret Court‘s record.
The Serb has now won 24 titles, two more than the injured Nadal. Federer, now retired, remains with 20.
Djokovic will be able to continue adding to this total because he is experiencing a second youth. Nadal, meanwhile, is expected to return to competition at the next Australian Open.
The 14 reasons why Djokovic is the GOAT
- Oldest US Open champion: His triumph in the New York tournament, at 36 years and three months, makes him the oldest winner of the Open Era over Ken Rosewall. The Australian was 35 when he reigned supreme in the 1970 edition.
- He has won three of the four majors four times: Something no one has ever done before, Djokovic’s record never ceases to amaze. Last June he was crowned for the third time on the Roland Garros clay. He has won the Australian Open 10 times, Wimbledon seven times and the US Open four times.
- Most weeks as ATP leader: The world rankings mark the consistency of tennis players and Djokovic surpassed Federer’s record of 310 weeks at the top on March 8, 2021. He accumulates 389 weeks and this Monday will continue to increase that figure because he regains the lead at the expense of Carlos Alcaraz. Nadal is on 209.
- Record number of points in a season: It was in the 2015 campaign when Djokovic set a record that will never be equalled again. He accumulated 16,785 points thanks to 11 titles: Australian Open, Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Rome, Wimbledon, US Open, Beijing, Shanghai, Paris-Bercy and Masters Cup.
- First place in Masters 1000: Professionals insist that tennis is not only the four Grand Slams. And they are not wrong. Then come the nine Masters 1000 category tournaments scattered throughout the country. Djokovic also has the most titles with 39, three more than Nadal after winning the TMS in Cincinnati. Federer is third with 28.
- The only one with nine TMS: Djokovic is the only player who has won all nine Masters 1000. In fact he has done so on a minimum of two occasions. In 2015 he won six of the nine. Nadal is missing Miami, Shanghai and Paris-Bercy and Federer Monte Carlo and Rome.
- He has 12 majors over the age of 30: The diet and the routines that the tennis player from Belgrade follows out of competition are paying off. He has just won his 12th Grand Slam over 30, specifically at 36 years and three months. Nadal accumulated eight Grand Slams over 30, to Federer’s four.
- Historic master of the ATP Finals: Djokovic has won the ATP Masters Cup a total of six times, equalling Federer’s record. Nadal has yet to win the Masters event, which is now being held at the Alpitour in Turin. By finishing undefeated at the 2022 edition he took home the biggest prize money ever, which amounted to 4.6m euros.
- He dominates the head-to-head with his two biggest rivals: With Federer, he has a favourable head-to-head record of 27 wins to 23. With Nadal, it is 30 to 29.
- The best percentage of matches won in history: Another of the records that stand out in Djokovic’s career is that he has won 1,076 of the 1,287 matches played. That gives a success rate of 83.6 percent. Nadal is second in that ranking with 1,068 victories for 220 defeats, which means a success rate of 82.9 percent.
- He is the leader in titles among active tennis players: The US Open triumph takes Djokovic’s total to 96 titles. Nadal has 92. Djokovic is only behind Jimmy Connors’ 109 titles and Federer’s 103.
- More Grand Slam finals contested: Djokovic, who missed the last edition of the US Open because he was not vaccinated against the coronavirus, has 36 Grand Slam finals, with 24 wins and 12 defeats. The second in the ranking in the men’s category is Federer with 31. Nadal has 30. In women’s tennis, Chris Evert reached 34.
- The only player to have won three of the four majors in four seasons: In 2011, 2015 and 2021, the Serb was just one title away from winning all the majors. He has done it again in 2023, something unprecedented in the sport of tennis.