Rod Laver is a figure revered in the tennis community, widely regarded as one of the greatest players to have ever played the sport.
Even as generations have passed, his legacy remains as strong as ever, with even modern-day legends keen to reinforce just how special this individual is.
However, seldom do we hear from those he faced during his playing days.
Fortunately, speaking to Punto de Break, Joan Gisbert has now provided that insight, even responding when asked how the Australian might have fared playing against the Big Three.
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The Spaniard began by replying to the question: ‘Was Rod Laver really that good?’
His answer was staunch and stats-based, claiming: “He won the Grand Slam twice, up to that point only Donald Budge had done it in 1938… and if he didn’t win it again, it was because World War II started after he had already won the first three. Rod Laver was incredible.”
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Then asked who he felt was the greatest of all time, Gisbert was cautious with his answer, admitting: “Rod Laver was impressive; I played with him twice. Here in Barcelona, he beat me in 1970 in five sets, after being two sets up, 2-1 and 40-15. The next day, I was exhausted, and Manolo Santana finished him off. Roy Emerson was also excellent. Manolo Orantes is the player with the most victories in history on clay; I have to mention him because I admire him a lot.”
Martina Navratilova was unafraid to brand Laver the GOAT, even ahead of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, when asked back in 2019.
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The greatest of all time argument is an age-old debate in tennis, and one which will likely never cease.
And, what is perhaps most ironic about it is the fact that there will never be a clear answer.
Everyone has their favourites and their biases, and that makes any decision subjective.
Not to mention the fact that it is pretty much impossible to compare throughout the eras too, as Gisbert touches upon.
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Asked if Laver can be compared to the likes of Bjorn Borg, Federer and Nadal, he admitted: “It’s difficult because rackets are metallic now, whereas before they were made of wood. It’s like in golf, comparing the yards made with old clubs to the ones made with modern ones.”
Then asked to imagine Nadal playing against Laver and his contemporaries, the Spaniard laughed as he claimed: “He would have made them go crazy, they would have quit tennis (laughs).”
