Juan Carlos Ferrero on Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic GOAT debate – ‘There is no right answer’

Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer

Shahida Jacobs
March 7, 2023

Juan Carlos Ferrero loves the discussions surrounding the greatest tennis player of all time (GOAT), saying there is no separating Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

The Big Three of Nadal, Djokovic and Federer have dominated men’s tennis the past two decades as they have won 64 Grand Slams between them, spent dozens of months at No 1 in the ATP Rankings and broke numerous records.

Federer initially spearheaded the golden generation as he was first to 20 majors while he also spent a record 310 weeks at the top of the rankings, but the other two caught up with him and then surpassed him in terms of Slams as Nadal was the first two 22 before Djokovic joined him on number with his win at this year’s Australian Open.

Djokovic has also surpassed Federer’s record of 310 weeks at No 1 as he is currently on 379 weeks at the top.

Many feel that the player who wins the most Grand Slams will be the GOAT – ruling Federer out – while for others the head-to-head record between the three also need to be taken into account and some say it will always come down to preference.

However, there can be no doubt that the trio pushed each other to greater things and Ferrero, who played against them before he retired, is sitting on the fence.

When asked by Essentially Sports who is the GOAT he replied: “I think none of them will be as good as they are without the others. All of them have reached amazing things.

“It’s crazy to think on all what they’ve done. It’s an argument with no right answer. I love it.”

Ferrero, who won the 2003 French Open and spent eight weeks at world No 1, is coaching rising star Carlos Alcaraz and the teenager has won his maiden Grand Slam at the US Open last year and also became the youngest player to top the ATP Rankings after he surged to No 1 after his Flushing Meadows success.

Asked if there is a changing of the guard underway, especially when it comes to Spanish tennis with Nadal now in the twilight of his career, he said: “Nadal won two Grand Slams last year. That’s a lot. If he keeps being competitive, there’s no hurry for him to retire.

“He is playing less, but if he keeps being competitive when he does, why should we speak about retirement? I wish Carlos can compete with Rafa and Novak as much as possible. It will make him better. He regrets hadn’t been able to compete against Roger. Me too.”

READ MORE: Does Novak Djokovic’s latest record confirm he is the tennis GOAT?

Juan Carlos Ferrero Novak Djokovic Rafael Nadal Roger Federer