Tennis fans and media have long been obsessed with the question of who deserves the title of the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) in the sport. This debate has intensified over the past two decades with the undeniable dominance of tennis legends Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
Adding his voice to the discussion is Marc Rosset, the former Olympic gold medalist at the Barcelona Games in 1992. In a recent interview with Tennis Magazin, Rosset shared his thoughts on the GOAT debate.
“It all depends on what it means to be the best. If you look at the numbers of Slams won, then Nadal and Djokovic are better. If you look at the player who has the most influence in this sport, for me it is Federer,” Rosset commented. “People who love Federer say he is the GOAT, but those who are crazy about Novak will tell you that Nole is the best. Then there are the supporters of Rafa: they say directly that he has won everything.”
Rosset’s analysis sheds light on the different factors that fans consider when determining the greatest player of all time. While statistics play a crucial role, the impact a player has had on the sport as a whole cannot be overlooked.
Transitioning from the current tennis stars to the next generation, Rosset expressed his admiration for Alexander Zverev. “When Sascha plays aggressively, he is the most dominant player for me. If he plays like he did against Nadal at Roland Garros, he can beat any player,” Rosset said. “He has beaten Roger and Novak in important tournaments, he hits missiles, he can move along the baseline and accelerate the ball at any time. He also covers the court like Djokovic and if he plays aggressively the game is in his hands. I love this guy, he moves incredibly despite his size.”
As the GOAT debate continues to evolve in the tennis world, new talents like Zverev are emerging to challenge the established elite. It’s a conversation that will likely never have a definitive answer, but that’s part of what makes it so engaging for fans and experts alike.
