The ‘GOAT’ debate in tennis has been going on for years among fans of the sport, and is really only between three players.
Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are considered the greatest players of all time, with each star having claimed 20 or more Grand Slam titles.
Djokovic is the outright leader in major crowns on 24, while Nadal and Federer, both now retired, trail with 22 and 20, respectively.
Federer has the most ATP titles out of the three, and Nadal has won the most Grand Slams at a single tournament, which he achieved on the clay courts of Roland Garros, an event he emerged victorious at 14 times.
Many pundits and players have had their say, and two years ago, boxing legend Mike Tyson weighed in on the discussion.
Mike Tyson’s pick for the greatest tennis player in history
As per the Sun in 2022, Tyson, an avid tennis fan, was speaking after Federer made his emotional retirement at the Laver Cup.
When choosing his ‘GOAT’, he said: “Djokovic, definitely, and Federer. Talking about Djokovic, he came back from all those injuries.
“You know, I love Djokovic personally, but I’m just a big fan of Federer. When he was in his prime, he was always moving in the air. He’s smooth. He’s really smooth.”
Speaking on their Spanish rival, Tyson added: “Nadal was just all over the place.
“He’s a great player, but he doesn’t look great playing. Federer is smooth and very elegant.”
Mike Tyson’s comment about Coco Gauff in 2022
Tyson also discussed the women’s side and name-dropped one player whom he was a big fan of.
He said of American star Coco Gauff, 18 at the time: “I think she’s amazing. She has something that most don’t have, and that’s time.”
Gauff had made her first Grand Slam final earlier that year at Roland Garros, where she ultimately fell to Iga Swiatek.
The season after, she clinched her first major crown at the US Open, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in front of a home crowd.
In 2025, Gauff added a second Grand Slam to her name by going all the way at the French Open.
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