Novak Djokovic has given a classy interview answer as the bust-up between Boris Becker and Nick Kyrgios rumbles on.
Novak Djokovic has given a classy answer in an interview as he insisted he has respect for all tennis eras and will leave it up to others to decide whether he is the greatest player of all time.
The Serbian’s comments are completely different to Nick Kyrgios’ claim that it would be “absurd” to suggest that players who were around years ago could compete with today’s stars.
Nadal and Osaka make final steps ahead of much anticipated Brisbane return
Kyrgios has been embroiled in a spat with six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker in recent months, with the Australian remarking on the German’s time in prison for bankruptcy offences in a post on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this month.
And Kyrgios previously told The Athletic: “The game was so slow back then. I’ve watched Boris Becker and I’m not saying they weren’t good in their time, but to say that they would be just as good now, it’s absurd.”
Djokovic, on the other hand, saw things differently when he was quizzed on his position in the tennis hierarchy. “We can provide three answers,” the 36-year-old began. “The first: ‘I am the best.’ If we think that, we will say, ‘how arrogant he is. He doesn’t respect others.’ The second answer is to say: ‘I don’t think I’m the greatest,’ while showing complete humility, which is possible.
Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios has been embroiled in a spat with six-time Grand Slam champion Boris Becker (Image: GETTY)
“And the third: ‘I am who I am, I am proud of what I have accomplished, but I respect other eras and all opinions and I leave the GOAT debate to others.’ This is my answer.”
Djokovic, along with rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, has been at the top of tennis for the past 15 years – with Federer and Nadal being considered two of the greatest players ever in that time. But in recent years, Djokovic has dominated the sport like no other. Djokovic now has 24 Grand Slam titles to his name, with Nadal currently on 22 and Federer ending his career after winning 20.
