Garbine Muguruza pronounces a GOAT decision for Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.
The player that Garbine Muguruza believes to be “the best” among the illustrious triumvirate of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic is named.
The two-time Grand Slam champion also talked about Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz’s achievements, calling the young athletes “machines.”
At the age of 30, Muguruza announced her retirement from tennis in April after winning the French Open, Wimbledon, and ranking first in the world. In January 2023, the Spanish player—who has ten WTA titles—played her last match in Lyon.
With a record 24 Grand Slam victories, Djokovic leads the all-time men’s list, followed by Federer (20 Majors) and Rafael Nadal (22).Many people believe that the Big Three are the best male tennis players in history.
In 2022, Federer concluded his incredible 24-year career, but Djokovic and Nadal continued to compete well into their late thirties.
Sinner and Alcaraz, on the other hand, have emerged as the two best players of their generation; Alcaraz just won the French Open for the third time. Currently ranked one in the world, Sinner won his first major championship in 2024 at the Australian Open.
Speaking on the Spanish radio show El Larguero, Muguruza discussed his rivalry with Sinner and Alcaraz’s victory at Roland Garros.
“I was unaware that Alcaraz was partially injured when he arrived at the French Open, but gradually, he began to regain confidence,” the Spaniard remarked.
“While I thought [Alexander] Zverev was dangerous, Carlos is exceptional.” I’m thrilled whenever I see Carlos putting out his fist; I adore the energy. Sinner is extremely composed. However, whenever you meet Carlos, he always seems so happy, and I adore that.
“I see them winning so much already at such a young age. I had won once at the age of twenty, then lost in the first round, then lost in the third. It was a catastrophe. But this generation astounds me. They are machines from such an early age.
Muguruza also weighed in on the GOAT discussion and discussed how the dominance of Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer has changed expectations.
“Winning three Grand Slams seems insignificant since The Big Three have raised the bar so high. It’s tragic,” the thirty-year-old remarked.
“How many Grand Slams would have been split up… There was always the three of them, and they are a really tough generation.
“I’m from Roger, and I’ll kill for Rafael. Djokovic is a tennis beast, in my opinion. When it comes to tennis talent, Novak is the finest; outside from the court, I find him to be incredibly kind and hilarious.
It is true that he has an eastern, Serbian demeanor when playing on the court. All three of them appeal to me.
On Monday, the 2024 Wimbledon Championships get underway, and Djokovic hopes to participate despite undergoing meniscus surgery earlier this month.
Nadal has decided not to play at Wimbledon and will instead play at the ATP 250 event in Bastad the following month in preparation for the Olympics in Paris.