Nick Kyrgios believes Roger Federer ‘is finished in the GOAT’ debate
Nick Kyrgios predicts Roger Federer is out of the ‘Greatest of All Time’ debate and doubts he will even be able to beat Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on his preferred grass courts.
As 20-time Grand Slam champion Federer steps up his recovery from a third knee surgery, Australian Open doubles champion Kyrgios fears it may already be too late for the Swiss maestro to catch up with Slam rival Rafael Nadal.
Federer has not played since Wimbledon last July and although he revealed he had a positive scan on his knee, he is hoping to stage a return in the Summer. This means Federer could face close to a year on the side-lines.
Whilst he has previously won a Grand Slam title after a six-month-long injury lay-off at Wimbledon in 2017, this may be a step too far for the Swiss great.
As such, Kyrgios feels now 21-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal leads the way in the discussions surrounding which player will end their career as the most successful male player of all time.
Speaking on his No Boundaries podcast, Kyrgios said “Roger is done for me in the GOAT [Greatest of All Time] talks guys, he is done.
“He’s got a losing record against both of them [Nadal and Djokovic], a really bad record. I don’t even think Roger beats some of the other guys on the grass.
“If he (Nadal) wins the French [Open] he is unquestionably the GOAT. If he gets to 22 and the others are on 20 he has the GOAT crown.”
The losing records Kyrgios referenced sees Federer behind both Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Nadal leads Federer 24-16, whilst Djokovic is ahead 27-23.
Moreover, speaking on Nadal’s spectacular Australian Open final comeback, Kyrgios said “before the match I was asked who’s going to win and I said match-up wise I thought it was a horrible match-up for Rafa.
“When he (Medvedev) won the first set and the second I thought it was very tough for Rafa to come back.
“At 3-2 and 0-40 I turned off and then I turned on like two-and-a-half hours later and my initial thoughts were no way has this guy
(Nadal) clawed this back.
“I refreshed it and thought this has got to be wrong.”
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