‘You can’t argue with the stats that Novak Djokovic has put on the board, but…
‘You can’t argue with the stats that Novak Djokovic has put on the board, but…’ says Andre Agassi.
The GOAT debate is one of the most-talked about topics in tennis although many believe Djokovic has settled the argument on the back of the incredible numbers that has racked up.
The Serbian has won the most Grand Slams as he sits on 24, two more than Nadal with Federer another two adrift, while he is also the first player – man or woman – to spend more than 400 weeks at No 1 in the world. He has also won the most ATP Masters 1000 titles and won a record seven ATP Finals titles, among other things.
Former world No 1 Agassi says Djokovic is the clear GOAT when it comes to the numbers, but the eight-time Grand Slam winner appears to suggest it is not just about stats.
“You can’t argue with the stats that Novak has put on the board for crying out loud,” he told Australia’s Sydney Morning Herald.
“From the Slams … to the number of weeks of No 1 – there’s so many stats that he [is] just kind of is redefining, you know.
“[But] how do you leave … Federer out of that conversation and how do you leave [acknowledge] the elegance in which Federer did what he did.
“[And] with Rafa … I don’t know if tennis has ever seen somebody who competes like that.
“For me, it’s like what has got me on paper is one thing, but who’s really benefited the game? I think the game has benefited dramatically from all of them. Absolutely.”
Djokovic is favourite to win this year’s Australian Open, which would see him move to 25 majors.
Could he reach 30 Grand Slams?
“How can you say something isn’t possible? Records are meant to be broken, right?” Agassi asked “Obviously we’re just we’re speculating on so many things, which includes health, and that’s going to start to rear its head.”
Health and age are two things that could eventually catch up with Djokovic, but Agassi is convinced the 36-year-old will play for “a few more years’.
“The only thing I’m absolutely convinced about is Novak will not beat Father Time. It’s just a question of how long you can postpone it,” he said.
“I definitely see a few more years of him being the one that has to be dealt with.”.