Numerous parameters separate Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic from each other, and it is still almost impossible to pick the best between the three. No doubt, this is the ultimate tennis debate of the 21st century so far. Recently, Norwegian youngster Casper Ruud spoke about what this GOAT debate means to him.

For Ruud, the 2021 season has been a great success until now. He has reached his career-high ranking of World No.1 5 and won his second ATP title in Geneva.

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Ruud on the GOAT debate between Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic

Presently, Ruud is contesting for the first time at the Mallorca Championships 2021. He cleared the opening round challenge against Frenchman Gilles Simon and will meet Tennys Sandgren in the next.

Ruud trains at the Rafa Nadal Academy. Moreover, the Spaniard has been his idol growing up, so he began his training at his Academy from the age of 19. And naturally, he was more inclined to back the 20-time Grand Slam champion from Mallorca in the GOAT debate.

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Undoubtedly, Nadal‘s domination at the French Open is unrivaled and otherworldly. But overall, Ruud stated that Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic belong to the greatest of all-time athletes club.

“It is a very difficult question because any of the three has arguments to say that he is the best. What Nadal has done is special, because winning thirteen times in a tournament like Roland Garros is incredible. They are all three very good, and they are among the ten or fifteen best in history. Not of tennis, but of all sport,” Ruud said.

(Quotes translated from Spanish to English via Google Translate).

To date, the 22-year-old Norwegian hasn’t got the opportunity to face any of the Big 3 in 2021. However, there’s a good chance he will come up against them during the Championships starting next week.

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Ruud’s potential threats in the Mallorca Championships 2021

In Mallorca, Ruud might meet World No. 2 Daniil Medvedev in the quarterfinals based on seedings. Following that, he would have to face the Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta in the semifinals.

Then for his third ATP title and as a big boost for Wimbledon Championships 2021, Ruud might have to take on 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem. But only time will tell how much of this the Norwegian turn into reality.

WATCH: Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem Practice Together in Mallorca Ahead of Wimbledon Championships 2021