In a recent interview, Italian tennis legend Adriano Panatta expressed his belief that Roger Federer deserves the title of the Greatest of All Time (GOAT), even in the face of Novak Djokovic‘s impressive 23 Grand Slam titles. Panatta’s statement challenges the popular notion that the player with the most major titles automatically holds the crown of the GOAT.

Panatta, who himself won the French Open in 1976, expressed his belief that Federer’s greatness extends beyond mere statistics and aesthetics. He emphasized that tennis is a dynamic sport, constantly evolving with changes in equipment, court surfaces, playing styles, and other factors. Panatta is the only player who defeated Björn Borg at Roland Garros and he did it twice.

Panatta doesn’t want people to forget Roger Federer in the GOAT debate

Panatta’s perspective goes beyond mere statistics, as he emphasizes that tennis is a dynamic sport, subject to various changes over time. According to the Italian tennis legend, Bjorn Borg’s dominance in his brief career, during which he accumulated more Grand Slam victories than Djokovic, Federer, and Rafael Nadal combined, showcases the limitations of purely statistical comparisons.

In an interview by Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera, reported by MSN, Panatta said, “Nothing changes for me: Roger Federer is the greatest. It’s not just a question of aesthetics”. He further asserted, ” And not even of statistics, which they like so much but leave the time they find.”

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“Let me explain better: Borg in the few years he has played concentrated more Grand Slam victories than Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer combined,” Panatta points out. He suggests that instead of crowning a single player as the GOAT, each tennis great should be celebrated for dominating their respective historical periods. Panatta argues that comparisons between eras do not hold much significance either.

Is the GOAT debate in tennis unnecessary?

During the same interview, Panatta further emphasizes the futility of trying to determine a singular GOAT in tennis. “They are all great,” he states. “There is no greatest.” He highlights the sport’s constant evolution, where changes in rackets, courts, balls, and playing styles make direct comparisons challenging.

“Djokovic says he’s the best? I propose that we deal with it,” Panatta challenged. By encouraging a focus on appreciating and respecting the achievements of all tennis greats, Panatta aims to move beyond the fruitless GOAT debate and promote a deeper understanding of the sport’s evolution.

While it is obvious that the GOAT debate will never be finished, Adriano Panatta’s unwavering support for Roger Federer as the greatest player, despite Djokovic’s remarkable achievements, adds another layer to the discussion.

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