British tennis star Jack Draper reveals his choice between Djokovic and Nadal in the GOAT debate
In a recent interview, British tennis star Jack Draper weighed in on one of the most hotly debated topics in the sport – who is the Greatest of All Time (GOAT)? While the debate often features Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, Draper, currently ranked No. 15 in the world, found himself torn between Djokovic and Nadal.
Draper, like many others, has been influenced by the careers of the so-called “Big Three” – Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer, who have redefined tennis over the past two decades. Djokovic boasts a record 24 Grand Slam titles, while Nadal has claimed 22. On top of that, Djokovic leads their head-to-head record 31-29, adding weight to his claims of being the sport’s greatest.
Embed from Getty ImagesHowever, Draper made a clear distinction between the male greats and Serena Williams, whom he credited as the female GOAT. When it came time to choose between Djokovic and Nadal, Draper admitted that his heart leaned towards the Spaniard. “My heart is Rafa Nadal,” Draper confessed. “But when it comes to who I think is the best tennis player of all time, I have to go with Novak.”
Draper shared that his decision was influenced by his upbringing, where Djokovic’s iconic image and dominance left a lasting impression. “When I was growing up, every new kit, every new look was him; he was just so iconic. Obviously, being a left-hander like myself, my head says Novak, but my heart is Rafa.”
Ultimately, Draper placed Djokovic at the pinnacle of tennis greatness, joining the many who consider the Serbian as the GOAT. While his personal admiration for Nadal remains, Draper recognised Djokovic’s overall achievements and skill, giving him the nod as the greatest of all time.