The missing piece: Why Novak Djokovic didn’t clinch GOAT status after the slam
Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images Novak Djokovic added to his incredible legacy in 2023 by becoming the all-time leader in men’s singles Grand Slam titles After spending his career chasing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Djokovic finally pulled ahead with a 23rd major title, surpassing the record held by the Spaniard at the time. He capped off that year with another Grand Slam win at the US Open, taking his total to 24. The debate over who deserved to be called the greatest of all time only grew louder after that.
But even then, at age 36 and coming off another major win, Djokovic wasn’t willing to take on that label. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images What Novak Djokovic said after the 2023 Roland Garros final When asked if he felt like the greatest ever, Djokovic replied: “Well, thank you. I mean, I don’t want to say that I am the greatest.
“I’ve said it before, it’s disrespectful towards all the great champions in different eras of our sport that was played in a completely different way than it is played today. “So I feel like each great champion of his own generation has left a huge mark, a legacy and paved the way for us to be able to play this sport in such a great stage worldwide. ” “I leave those kind of discussions of who is the greatest to someone else.
You know, I have, of course huge faith and confidence and belief, you know, to myself and for everything that I am and who I am and what I am capable of doing. “So this trophy obviously is another confirmation of the quality of tennis that I’m still able to produce, I feel. ” Novak Djokovic’s efforts to claim a 25th Grand Slam title After securing his 23rd Grand Slam title, Djokovic said: “Truth of the matter is, and reality is, my body is responding differently, so I have to deal with more things physically than I have had maybe in the past.
“Maybe five to ten years ago I was recovering much quicker or, you know, just didn’t feel as much pain in the body and the beating that I’m feeling today. ” While he hasn’t added another major title since winning the US Open in 2023, Djokovic has stayed competitive. He reached the Wimbledon final in 2024 but was beaten by Carlos Alcaraz for a second straight year.