Many consider Novak Djokovic to be the greatest player ever. However, Serena Williams' former coach, Rennae Stubbs, believes he is still thrilled to achieve what Roger Federer could not at the Olympics.
The only significant achievement that eluded Djokovic before the 2024 season was winning an Olympic gold medal. He claimed a bronze at the 2008 iteration of the Games, but that would never satisfy him.
Djokovic made his Olympic dream a reality at Roland Garros nearly two weeks ago. The Serbian defeated Carlos Alcaraz 7-6, 7-6, in a match with no breaks of serve. It was one of the best serving performances of Djokovic's career.
The 37-year-old's success did not go unnoticed by others in the tennis world. Matteo Berrettini, who Djokovic defeated in the 2021 Wimbledon final, called him a cyborg for securing a gold medal at such a late stage of his career.
Some have more confidence in Djokovic's chances at the upcoming US Open after his performances at Roland-Garros. Tim Henman thinks the stress of trying to win a gold medal being removed could free him up in New York.
Djokovic's gold medal also means he has won every major title in tennis. Many fans now think the GOAT debate is over since Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer did not achieve that feat.
Unfortunately for Federer, he is the only one of the Big Three who did not claim an Olympic gold in the men's singles. However, he did win a gold medal in the men's doubles alongside Stan Wawrinka at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Djokovic and Federer had an infamously frosty relationship when the Serbian first came onto the ATP Tour. Although tensions cooled throughout their careers, some wonder whether Federer's initial dislike of Djokovic pushed him to be even greater.
Stubbs did not mention Federer and Djokovic's relationship in her comments on Racquet's Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast. But she does feel the 24-time Grand Slam champion is happy to have managed another feat that Federer did not.
"Roger Federer is not even on that list. Although Roger won a gold medal in doubles, he never did this in singles so that's something that I am sure Novak is really happy that he has got over Roger."
No one can argue that Djokovic's results have surpassed Federer's. The Swiss Maestro's men's singles Wimbledon record of eight titles is the only major one Djokovic has not caught up with. Federer can thank Carlos Alcaraz for that.
Stubbs also mentioned that Djokovic joined a small and exclusive list of players by winning Olympic gold. He may not have secured gold in singles and doubles like Nadal, but the men's singles gold still puts him in elite company.
"He [Novak Djokovic] joins an exclusive club of gold medal champions in singles cause Rafa [Nadal] won in singles and doubles, Steffi [Graf] of course did what we will probably never see, winning all four Grand Slams and then winning a gold medal. But Novak joins Andre Agassi, the likes of these players."
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