Rising star insists Novak Djokovic is NOT the grass king and picks Roger Federer
Novak Djokovic will aim to equal Roger Federer’s record as the greatest Wimbledon champion of all-time next month, yet one of the game’s rising stars insists he will always be the king on grass courts.
Djokovic is targeting an eighth Wimbledon title at the All England Club in July and if he achieves that remarkable feat, he will draw level with Federer by winning his eighth title at the grass court Grand Slam.
He will also move four clear of Federer in the race to finish with the most Grand Slam titles and almost certainly ensure he will end this era of tennis as the greatest player of all-time statistically.
Yet rising Italian star Lorenzo Musseti has insisted Federer will always be the greatest player to set foot on a grass court, as he admits he modeled his game on the Swiss maestro.
“I always see Roger as the greatest ever on grass,” declared world No 16 Musetti, in an interview at the Queen’s Club in London.
“Djokovic has done an amazing job over the last couple of years and I think for sure he is the favorite, especially at Wimbledon.
“But my heart goes with Roger because, in a certain way, he reminds me a little bit of my game and I try to imitate him.”
Musetti’s words were echoed by the Bryan brothers when they spoke to Tennis365 last year, with the class and grace he displayed on court enchanting his admirers.
“For me it has to be Roger Federer,” Mike Bryan told Tennis365. “Those few years when he was dominating, he barely lost any matches.
“The way he does is it always so smooth. He doesn’t sweat, he just like a zen master. He is also the most relaxed in the locker room. Before a Wimbledon final, he laughs in the dressing room like it’s a Sunday afternoon in the park.
“When it’s all said and done, who knows who will have all the records, but I will always have a special place in my heart for Roger.”
The debate over the greatest player of all time will rumble on despite Djokovic claiming his record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title in Paris.
Yet grass court specialist Feliciano Lopez made an interesting comment as he took on a commentary role for the BBC at the Queen’s Club event in London.
Two-time former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray may only have three Grand Slam titles in his collection, yet Lopez suggested the player he won the Doubles title with at Queen’s in 2019 was his most formidable opponent.
“Out of the top four of Roger, Rafa, Novak and Andy, I have to say Andy was the toughest one for me to play against,” declared Lopez.
“The fact was he understands my game so well. He is a great game reader. He reads my serve very well.
“I use slice a lot and against a majority of the players, I can give them a hard time with this shot.
“He used to play another slice and whenever I come in, he has great hands and he can pass me with a lob or a passing shot. Normally I come in on the backhand, but he has a great backhand.
“So whatever you did to Andy, he had the answers. That is why I say he was always the toughest opponent.”
READ MORE: Carlos Alcaraz backs up Nick Kyrgios’ claim about Novak Djokovic
