When it comes to the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) in the tennis world, people often first think of legendary players like Nadal and Federer. Their greatness is reflected not only in the number of Grand Slam titles they have won but also in the way they achieve victory and their attitude towards defeat.
Now, Djokovic stands at the top of history with his record of 24 Grand Slam titles, seemingly uncontroversially becoming the central figure in this topic. Despite his achievements that others can only aspire to, Djokovic has yet to become the "GOAT" of the tennis world.
Djokovic's achievements on the court are undoubtedly among the best in history. However, in the eyes of foreign media, to become the "Greatest of All Time (GOAT)," one cannot simply rely on court honors; personal charm and character are equally important criteria. So, why might Djokovic never be called the "Greatest of All Time (GOAT)"?
Before discussing the reasons, let's look at Djokovic's career achievements. He has won 24 Grand Slam championships, a feat that currently tops the men's tennis rankings, surpassing his competitors Nadal and Federer by 2 and 4 Grand Slams respectively. Clearly, Djokovic's achievements are remarkable. On the court, he is almost invincible, with strong baseline combat capabilities, agile movement, and precise serving... These technical advantages make him a difficult opponent to beat. Djokovic's performance in matches is nearly perfect, so does his personality and character reach such a level of "perfection"?
The label "GOAT" implies not only being unbeatable in terms of achievements but also representing character, breadth of mind, attitude towards failure, and even actions off the court. You might think that the outstanding achievements of sports stars should be judged solely by their competitive results. However, upon careful consideration, it becomes clear that great players are not just kings on the court; they should also exhibit humility and elegance beyond the ordinary in all aspects of life. Take the NBA as an example; the widely recognized "GOAT" is Jordan, not James.
In this regard, Nadal and Federer outshine him. Nadal is seen by the public as a player with tremendous "sportsmanship" in tennis history. His resilience and humility in the face of setbacks are truly admirable. As for Federer, he is known as the "elegant representative" of the tennis world. His every move, whether it's his behavior and words on the court or his actions off the court, often makes people exclaim, "This is true greatness!"
In this aspect, Djokovic falls slightly short. He possesses astonishing mental fortitude in matches and an indomitable fighting spirit, but under pressure and challenges, he occasionally displays an overly eager attitude to win. This "win-at-all-costs" mentality may sometimes give the impression of lacking humility and grace.
In some post-match interviews, Djokovic occasionally responds to media inquiries with an almost tough stance. Or after a loss, he seems reluctant to accept the result calmly. Such emotional ups and downs make him appear somewhat "restless" and lacking depth in the public eye. This is precisely where he differs greatly from Federer and Nadal in their approach to dealing with matters.
To become the "Greatest of All Time (GOAT)," one condition is whether one can serve as a role model for the younger generation off the court. In this respect, Federer and Nadal excel. The attitudes of the former have had a profound impact on many young players, making them moral exemplars in the tennis world. Their qualities of tenacity, kindness, and selflessness have always been models for young players to learn from. In contrast, Djokovic's influence in this area is relatively small. He has repeatedly clashed with referees during matches and has engaged in confrontations with the media due to dissatisfaction with rulings. Although these actions do not indicate that he is a person of bad character, they have seriously damaged his image as a "role model."
Saying that Djokovic is not the GOAT does not diminish the immense achievements he has made as a tennis player. In terms of Grand Slam numbers, he is undoubtedly the first in history, and tactically, he is also impeccable. To be the GOAT, it is not just about winning the most titles; it is crucial how one faces challenges, wins titles, and treats defeats and victories with the most elegant attitude. Achievements are just one aspect; attitude and the spirit displayed are even more important.
Djokovic is undoubtedly an extremely outstanding champion. However, in terms of "character" and "role model," he has a significant gap compared to Federer and Nadal. Therefore, even if he continues to create more records, in the eyes of foreign media, he will never be the greatest player in tennis history.