Tennis legend Bjorn Borg has delivered his definitive verdict in the eternal 'Greatest of All Time' debate, placing Novak Djokovic at the pinnacle ahead of rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
The Verdict from a Record-Holder
In a recent interview with Spanish publication Marca, the Swedish great was unequivocal. "First Djokovic, then Nadal and Federer, tied," stated Borg, who was promoting his new autobiography, 'Latidos'. This endorsement carries significant weight, coming from a man who himself held the men's Grand Slam title record for 13 years with 11 major victories.
Borg's record stood until Pete Sampras won his 12th major at Wimbledon in 1994. The 69-year-old's assessment will undoubtedly please Djokovic, the only member of the famed 'Big Three' still active on the tour.
The Statistical Case for Djokovic
Borg's ranking is backed by the sheer weight of Djokovic's achievements. The Serbian superstar broke the duopoly of Federer and Nadal, who had shared 11 consecutive major titles, by winning his first Grand Slam at the 2008 Australian Open.
From that point, Djokovic has amassed a historic total of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, the most by any male player in history. This monumental tally has clearly convinced Borg of Djokovic's ultimate standing in the sport's pantheon.
Borg's Remarkable Career and Perspective
Bjorn Borg's own accomplishments magnify the importance of his opinion. He dominated the early Open Era, winning five Wimbledon titles and six French Open crowns for his total of 11 majors.
His career might have yielded even more had circumstances been different. Borg made only one appearance at the Australian Open, in 1974, losing in the third round. He also famously retired at the age of 25 in 1981, after reaching four US Open finals without claiming the title, leaving fans to speculate on how many more majors he could have won.
The Future After the Big Three
As the 38-year-old Djokovic nears the end of his career, Borg is excited by the new generation ready to seize the mantle. He specifically highlighted the rivalry between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who have already won 10 majors combined despite their combined age being just 46.
"It's the best thing that could happen to tennis," Borg said of their emergence. "I don't miss any of their matches. It will be interesting to see how the big titles are distributed next season."
While Djokovic has expressed a desire to compete at the 2028 Olympics, the 2026 season could potentially be his final campaign. As one era prepares to close, Borg's comments affirm Djokovic's place at its summit, while also welcoming the dawn of a thrilling new chapter for the sport.
