WATCH: 'My Head Says Novak, My Heart Says Rafa': Draper Struggles To Pick GOAT

News
Wednesday, 25 December 2024 at 15:35
nadaldjokovic riyadh24 imagoxinhua

Jack Draper struggled to choose between Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as the greatest player of all time (GOAT), but he eventually made a decision.

Nadal's retirement at last month's Davis Cup Finals makes it easier to compare his career to that of his great rival, Djokovic. The Spaniard's final match ended in a heartbreaking loss to the Netherlands' Botic van de Zandschulp.

Djokovic had promised to be in the stadium for Nadal's last appearance. However, neither he nor Roger Federer attended the quarterfinal against the Netherlands. Van de Zandschulp and Wesley Koolhof's victory against Carlos Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers confirmed the end of Nadal's career.

Federer and Djokovic made brief appearances in a video of various athletes paying tribute to Nadal during his retirement ceremony. Although there was much emotion in the stadium, some found the ceremony underwhelming.

Spain's Davis Cup captain, David Ferrer, was particularly disappointed that Djokovic and Federer were not present on what turned out to be Nadal's final day as a professional player, arguing it watered down his retirement ceremony.

Reports indicated that Djokovic and Federer planned to attend the semifinal because Spain was expected to defeat the Netherlands. If true, that assumption turned into a disaster after the Netherlands' stunning upset against the Spaniards.

Some believe Djokovic and Nadal's rivalry is the best in tennis history. The Serbian has called Nadal his greatest rival, although the 14-time French Open champion claims that Federer had a more significant impact on his career overall.

Djokovic and Nadal's 2012 Australian Open final, which lasted five hours and 53 minutes, is a contender for the greatest tennis match ever played. After an extraordinary battle, the ten-time champion in Melbourne prevailed 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5.

They also contested several other Grand Slam finals at all four majors and had epic five-set battles at the 2013 French Open and 2018 Wimbledon Championships. Their dynamic on the court was unique and will never be forgotten.

Djokovic is the most statistically successful player ever. Nadal has the second-most Grand Slams, but his 14 French Opens are unprecedented. In a Sky Sports Tennis segment, Draper chose between Djokovic, Nadal, Federer and Serena Williams as the GOAT.

"My heart is Rafa Nadal. But who do I think is the best tennis player of all time.... I mean, let's just separate Serena out because she's the female GOAT. I think we can put that down, separate one for her because she's incredible."
"And then from these three.... when I was growing up, every new kit, every look was him(Nadal). He was just so iconic. Being a left-hander like myself. My head says Novak. My heart is Rafa. But for me the GOAT is obviously Novak Djokovic."

While there are many different opinions on the subject, it seems that more fans are moving towards Draper's position because Djokovic is more statistically successful than either of his greatest rivals.

Many fans hold more personal affection for Federer and/or Nadal, but it is difficult to argue against the 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic.

Popular News
Just In