Coach Patrick Mouratoglou - who has worked with many top tennis players - believes that Novak Djokovic is the greatest tennis player in history, although not "gifted" with innate qualities like Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal.
If you look at the playing style of Djokovic, Federer and Nadal, Novak doesn't even have half of what the other two possess. Roger is a genius, he has many qualities. Rafa is a physical monster.
As for Novak, he does everything well but has no really outstanding points. He is the greatest tennis player of all time because he is the most professional, far ahead of everyone. His attention to every detail is unbelievable" - Mouratoglou said.
This trio has dominated men's tennis for 15 years, together winning a total of 66 Grand Slam titles, of which Djokovic holds the record of 24 major titles. Federer and Nadal retired in 2022 and 2024 respectively, while Djokovic is still playing strongly at the age of 38.
Mouratoglou - who helped Serena Williams win three Wimbledon titles and an Olympic gold medal in a decade of collaboration - said that Djokovic started slower, his skills were not the most outstanding, but in the end he was still the best.
Many people make mistakes. They think the standard of greatness lies in talent, in skills. Absolutely not. Djokovic is the greatest tennis player. The debate still exists because everyone is a fan of others. But in terms of achievements, he has done more than any tennis player in history, at all levels" - Mouratoglou emphasized.
Before Djokovic made his mark, Federer and Nadal were victorious machines. When Djokovic won the Australian Open 2008, it was the first time in 3 years that a Grand Slam title did not belong to Federer or Nadal. From that milestone, Djokovic gradually surpassed his two seniors and almost captured important records in men's tennis.
