So here we are.. The GOAT candidates are still tied at 20 slams apiece. It is a futile endeavor to be objective about this kind of argument, but I would say that all 3 belong in the Top 5 of all time along with Laver and Borg. But if had to pick titles:
- Federer is the Greatest tennis player of all time for the way he waltzed his way to 20 slams, seemingly without breaking a sweat, for straddling 3 generations of players, and for setting the standard for his two competitors to match
- Djokovic is *clearly* the statistical GOAT (and the best career and has the best head-to-head records)
- Nadal is *clearly* the Clay GOAT
Also, in my opinion, here are the most significant matches between these 3 as far as GOAT arguments go
3. Nadal vs Djokovic, French Open 2021
This is in 3rd place mainly because it is a semi-final and so it wasn't definitive for the winner. But if Nadal had won, he would've had a chance to establish a 3 slam lead over Djokovic, and would've stopped the two-time career grand slam for Djokovic. Instead, in a matter of a month, it was 20/20/20.
2. Nadal vs Federer, Australian Open 2017
If Federer had not come back to win the last 5 games of the 5th set, 31 year old Rafa would have been just 2 slams behind Old man Fed. Rafa would've soon passed Federer's slam count and then had some gas left in the tank. Instead, Federer had a resurrection (and even beat Nadal 5 times in a row starting with that match)
1. Federer vs Djokovic, Wimbledon 2019.
Undoubtedly, this is the one. Let's consider what would've happened if Federer had converted his match points in the 5th set: I don't think Djokovic would be capable of crossing Federer if he had lost that one (would've needed at least 7 more slams to do so) ; and a past-prime 38 year old would've demolished his greatest demons by coming back in the 5th set against his (40-15) tormentor and THE ultimate competitor who in his prime.
Of course statistically speaking, any slam final between these three would have the same implications for the overall slam count, so here are some honorable mentions:
- Djokovic vs Nadal, French Open 2020 : Of course, vanquishing the clay GOAT in Roland Garros would be amazing, and the count would've been 20/19/18
- Federer vs Nadal, Wimbledon 2008 : Federer was untouchable on grass (in fact, untouchable on anything except clay), and Nadal was just a great Clay court player. This was the match that brought him into the discussion as a potential all time great.. .and of course, it is perhaps the greatest tennis match of all time.
