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US Open champion calls Novak Djokovic the GOAT ahead of ‘dear friend’ Roger Federer


Former World number one Andy Roddick has said it is a “statistical impossibility” to argue against Novak Djokovic being the ‘greatest of all time’, putting him ahead of “dear friend” Roger Federer.

At this year’s Paris Masters, Djokovic recently claimed a record-breaking seventh Year-End number one title, overtaking Pete Sampras’ record of six.

The Serbian World number one is also chasing a record-equalling sixth ATP Finals victory that would put him level with fellow great Federer.

This season, Djokovic came close to both winning a Calendar Slam and being the first male player ever to complete a Golden Slam. Djokovic ultimately lost to Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final and Alexander Zverev at the rescheduled 2020 Tokyo Olympics to crush these historic dreams.

All of the ‘Big Three’ currently hold a spectacular 20 Grand Slam titles each, but in an interview with Tennis Channel former World number one Andy Roddick said “Roger is one of my dear friends, I have so much respect for Rafael Nadal, I hope they both come back and win majors.

“But I’ll say it very clearly, if Novak Djokovic ends his career with most Grand Slam titles of all time, it is a statistical impossibility to argue against him being the greatest based on numbers.

“This seventh Year-End number one title is just another feather in the cap, to go along with the most Masters 1000s, to go with winning head-to-heads against the greatest players of all time.

“It’s hard to make an argument against Novak [Djokovic] at this point. He’s the one who’s in the best form, who seemingly has the long runaway left also.”

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.