The GOAT debate in tennis is ever-present, like in any other sport. As of now, three names stand out more than any other. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic are at the forefront of the debate. The Swiss Maestro was recently asked the GOAT question in an interview. But since his own name was in talks for the label, the 20-time grand slam champion gave a cryptic response. While his answer was not straightforward, it still caused a major debate amongst fans.

While Federer would answer the question with either Djokovic or Nadal, fans and tennis pundits believe that Federer is the best. His former coach, Ivan Ljubicic, readily answered that Federer stood above of Djokovic and Nadal both. He stated that it’s not just about grand slam titles, but about the impact they have had on the game.  

Roger Federer does not discount Rafael Nadal for Novak Djokovic yet

In a recent interview, the mighty Federer made a claim which heated up the GOAT debate. Talking to Tages-Anzeiger, Federer had only two choices before him besides his own name, Rafa and the Djoker. Many would say that the answer is obviously Djokovic since he now stands at the top of the ATP. However, Federer did not discount his chief rival yet. 

The former player said, “What’s better? Winning Wimbledon at 17 like Becker or Paris at 36 like Novak? I don’t know. What he’s achieved is absolutely gigantic. It could be sufficient. But I think as long as Rafa is still playing, you can’t answer that definitively.“

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As is with any answer for such a debate, fans once again went into a frenzy. 

One fan said that Federer was lying. They reasoned that the response was different when Djoker was about to achieve a calendar slam but lost to Medvedev in the 2021 US Open.

Another user gave a one-word reply and simply implied it was unbecoming of Federer.

Another user followed the thought process, feeling that it was sad to see Federer talk in such a manner.

Federer was still angry about the 2019 Wimbledon final was the opinion of one tennis fan.

Another user agreed with the thought process, but they weren’t covert about it.

One user thought that the Swiss Maestro was being a bad sport with such an opinion.

One tennis fan said that no one wants to call Djokovic the GOAT of tennis.

Changing the pattern of replies, one fan agreed with Federer and said that Djokovic will have to surrender.

One user agreed with Federer and vehemently stated that one can never count Rafa out.

Reading deeply into the statements made by Federer, one user said that Federer definitely believes Rafa to be the GOAT.

On fan joked about the situation saying that Federer should’ve taken his name to put fire into the debate.

While Federer has more than enough titles to be involved in the GOAT discussion, the following years will tell us who will stand out on top.

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