The debate over which player deserves the honour of being called the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT) is highly disputed but in Pete Sampras’ eyes there is only one answer.
The former world No.1 and 14-time Grand Slam champion believes Novak Djokovic stands out when compared to the rest. This season the Serbian has won three out of the four major tournaments to increase his overall tally to 20. Placing him on level footing with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. He has also broken the records for most weeks spent at world No.1 and for the most Masters 1000 titles ever won by a player on the ATP Tour.
Accolades such as these is why 50-year-old Sampras is backing Djokovic to end his career with the most Grand Slam titles won out of the Big Three. The Serbian is the youngest out of the trio.
“Seven years, for him, I’m sure he sees it as a bonus to all the majors that he’s won,” Sampras told atptour.com. “But I think he’ll appreciate it more as he gets older. He did it at a time where he dominated two of the greats, in Roger and Rafa, and he handled the next generation of players very well – all at the same time.”
“I do think what Novak’s done over the past 10 years, winning the majors, being consistent, finishing No. 1 for seven years, to me it’s a clear sign that he is the greatest of all time.” He added.
Following his opening match at the ATP Finals on Monday, Djokovic was presented with the year-end trophy for a record seventh time in his career. Overtaking his childhood idol Sampras who achieved the milestone six times during his career.
“Obviously, it’s a thrilling sensation breaking the record of Pete Sampras, who was my childhood hero growing up,” Djokovic said. “He was the one I looked up to the most, the one that got me going with tennis. At times it seems surreal to really be where I am, and I’m blessed and grateful to be in this position.”
Djokovic is seeking to end his season on a high by winning the ATP Finals for a sixth time which would place him on par with Federer for most season-ending titles won by a player. He kicked-off his campaign with a straight sets win over Norway’s Casper Ruud and will play Andrey Rublev in his second match on Wednesday.
