Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer: Garbine Muguruza issues GOAT verdict

06/25/2024 11:16 AM

Garbine Muguruza has named the player she thinks is “the best” between the legendary trio of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

The two-time Grand Slam champion also discussed the success of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner and described the young stars as “machines.”

Muguruza announced her retirement from tennis in April at the age of 30, having won the French Open, Wimbledon and been the world No 1. The Spaniard, who won 10 WTA titles, played her final match in Lyon in January 2023.

Djokovic has won a record 24 Grand Slam titles, while Nadal and Federer sit second and third on the all-time men’s list with 22 and 20 Majors respectively. The Big Three are considered by many to be the three greatest male players in tennis history.

Federer brought an end to his remarkable 24-year career in 2022, while Nadal and Djokovic are still competing into their late thirties.

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Alcaraz and Sinner, meanwhile, have established themselves as the two leading players of their generation, with the former recently winning his third Grand Slam title at the French Open. Sinner is the current world No 1 and claimed his maiden Major at the 2024 Australian Open.

Speaking on Spanish radio programme El Larguero, Muguruza spoke about Alcaraz’s triumph at Roland Garros and his rivalry with Sinner.

“He (Alcaraz) arrived [at the French Open] half injured, which I didn’t know and then, little by little, he gained confidence,” said the Spaniard.

“I saw [Alexander] Zverev as dangerous, but Carlos is outstanding. I love the energy, I get excited when I see Carlos sticking out his fist. Sinner is super calm. On the other hand, you see Carlos and he is euphoric all the time, I love it.

“I see them so young and already winning so much. At 20 years old, I won one and then lost in the first round, then in the third… It was a disaster. But I am amazed by this generation. From such a young age, they are machines.”

Muguruza also spoke about how Djokovic, Nadal and Federer’s dominance has altered expectations and weighed in on the GOAT debate.

“The Big Three has left everything so high that winning three Grand Slams sounds like little. It’s a tragedy,” assessed the 30-year-old.

“The number of Grand Slams that would have been shared… That generation is very tough, it was always the three of them.

“I am from Roger, I am pro Rafa to death. I think Djokovic is a tennis beast. In terms of quality in tennis, the best is Novak, I think he is very funny off the court and he is super nice.

“On the court, it is true that he has that Serbian, eastern personality. I like all three of them.”

Djokovic is hoping to compete at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, which begin on Monday, after undergoing meniscus surgery earlier this month.

Nadal has opted to skip Wimbledon and will next feature at the ATP 250 event in Bastad next month ahead of the Paris Olympics.

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