'Jordan-like status': Nick Kyrgios weighs in on GOAT debate
Nick Kyrgios has weighed in on the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) debate after the argument was thrust into the spotlight following Rafa Nadal’s latest Grand Slam victory.
Nadal obliterated Novak Djokovic to secure his 13th Roland Garros title and equal Roger Federer’s haul of 20 Grand Slam titles.
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Roger Federer has held the most Grand Slam titles since surpassing Pete Sampras (14), but Nadal’s Roland Garros triumph reignited the GOAT debate once again.
Djokovic, sitting on 17, is also considered by many as the greatest tennis player ever and is tipped to take over the pair due to age being on his side.
However, Kyrgios has now given his opinion.
Kyrgios hasn’t always seen eye-to-eye with Nadal, but the Aussie showed class and put that aside to heap praise on the Spaniard’s remarkable achievements at the French Open.
“Unbelievable. I wasn’t surprised when I saw Rafa pretty much easing through the draw at the French Open,” Kyrgios told Courtside Huddle.
“That’s his backyard. He loves playing there. I think he’s lost two matches there in his entire career.
“Honestly, I don’t think we’re ever going to see anything like that again. Someone so dominant on one surface and he’s right there with the greatest of all time. You can argue he is the greatest.”
Tennis star @NickKyrgios on @RafaelNadal winning 20 Garnd Slams, what he means to the game and where he ranks in the current Top 3 Tennis superstars.
#CourtsideHuddle @BenyamKidane @NBA_AU pic.twitter.com/nHy37SWeqM— Corey “Homicide” Williams (@chomicide) October 25, 2020
Kyrgios compares Roger Federer to Michael Jordan
Kyrgios said the title of GOAT does differ on which player you ask.
But Kyrgios saved the biggest praise for Federer, who he claimed has Michal Jordan-like status in the sport.
“In my opinion, I’ve played all three of them, I think Andy Murray is right up there as well,” Kyrgios added.
“You look at Federer he’s the most dominant player of all time, but in this era it’s actually Rafa. It’s a debate you can have.
“A lot of players will tell you Rafa’s the GOAT, Novak’s the GOAT. But in my opinion, Federer is still [the GOAT]. I think he’s almost like a [Michael] Jordan status type thing.
“He was the guy that was so dominant on every kind of surface. I think the way he plays the game is something special.”
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