Alexander Zverev & Stefanos Tsitsipas disagree over Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal in GOAT debate

Ewan West
Stefanos Tsitsipas, Alexander Zverev, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal
Stefanos Tsitsipas & Alexander Zverev have weighed in on the GOAT debate

Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas have both given their verdicts on who is the greatest tennis player of all time — and they do not agree.

In interviews with 433 Football, the ATP stars were asked to choose between great athletes of the past and present across a range of sports.

They each ranked legends from their own sport above every other option, with Zverev picking Djokovic and Tsitsipas choosing Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic holds the all-time men’s Grand Slam titles record with 24, while Nadal sits second on the list with 22.

The Serbian and Spanish greats faced off 60 times – an Open Era record in men’s tennis — between 2006 and 2024, with Djokovic holding a 31-29 edge.

Tsitsipas has changed his mind on the tennis GOAT debate since last year, when he gave his backing to Djokovic.

“He is no doubt the best, going by numbers. He breaks record after record,” said the Greek in an interview with Kathimerini.

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“He also has a thirst, even though he has nothing to prove anymore. That’s how he’s wired.

“He’s never happy; it’s like he’s always trying to prove something to someone. I don’t know what or to whom. It’s like he always wants a rematch. He has that glint in his eye.”

Here are all of Tsitsipas and Zverev’s answers in the Q&A.

Tsitsipas

Carlos Alcaraz or Jude Bellingham?

Tsitsipas: Carlos Alcaraz.

Carlos Alcaraz or Roger Federer?

Tsitsipas: Roger Federer.

Roger Federer or Michael Jordan?

Tsitsipas: Ohh that’s a difficult one, I’m sorry Rog — Michael Jordan. 

Michael Jordan or Lionel Messi?

Tsitsipas: Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan or Muhammad Ali?

Tsitsipas: Muhammad Ali.

Muhammad Ali or Cristiano Ronaldo?

Tsitsipas: Muhammad Ali.

Muhammad Ali or Rafael Nadal?

Tsitsipas: Rafael Nadal.

Rafael Nadal or LeBron James?

Tsitsipas: What?! Rafael Nadal.

Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic?

Tsitsipas: Rafael Nadal.

Zverev

Carlos Alcaraz or Jude Bellingham?

Zverev: Carlos Alcaraz.

Carlos Alcaraz or Roger Federer?

Zverev: Roger Federer.

Roger Federer or Michael Jordan?

Zverev: Oh wow. You know what, Michael Jordan is the GOAT of basketball… Roger Federer isn’t. So by numbers, yeah, [Jordan].

Michael Jordan or Lionel Messi?

Zverev: Michael Jordan.

Michael Jordan or Muhammad Ali?

Zverev: I’m too young for Ali, so Jordan. 

Michael Jordan or Cristiano Ronaldo?

Zverev: Jordan

Michael Jordan or Rafael Nadal?

Zverev: Jordan

Michael Jordan or LeBron James?

Zverev: Jordan

Michael Jordan or Novak Djokovic?

Zverev: I’m going to give it to Novak, he’s the GOAT of out sport.

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