Not only was Novak Djokovic playing for the French Open title on Sunday, but he also had the opportunity to move clear for the first time in the race to be crowned the GOAT of men’s tennis.
The number of Grand Slam titles is the most obvious and easiest metric for those who wish to determine – and not everyone does – the Greatest Of All Time.
The Serb, 36, won at Roland Garros to land his 23rd major title, moving him one clear of Rafael Nadal and three ahead of Roger Federer.
With 37-year-old Nadal out injured for much of the year and planning to retire in 2024, and 41-year-old Federer already retired, Djokovic beating Casper Ruud for his third French Open title may have settled the debate once and for all.
Now Djokovic has the chance at Wimbledon in July – where he is the four-time defending champion – to move ahead of Serena Williams and equal Margaret Court’s record by winning his 24th major.
For some, the GOAT discussion is frivolous and does a disservice to the achievements of each player.
The numbers do not tell the full picture, of course. It is not possible to quantify their different playing styles, how they have adapted their games or their physical and mental strength, nor how they have overcome the tough moments that have peppered their careers.
But it does provide the framework for the debate. Here, BBC Sport crunches the numbers and gives you the chance to have your say in the comments section at the bottom.
From a frontrunner to a three-horse race
The race to be crowned the GOAT – in terms of major titles, at least – became a fluctuating battle between three men, which few had seen coming.
When a 27-year-old Federer overtook Pete Sampras’ previous best mark with his 15th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2009, few thought he would ever be caught.
At that stage, 23-year-old Nadal had won six majors and 22-year-old Djokovic had just landed his maiden title at the 2008 Australian Open.
After winning at least one major every year from 2003 to 2010, Federer’s trajectory began to plateau in 2011, the year Djokovic took his game to new heights.
Another Wimbledon title followed for Federer in 2012 – but then, thanks to a combination of his rivals’ brilliance and injuries, the Swiss did not win another major for four years.
Most wrote him off as Nadal and Djokovic closed in on his tally, before Federer’s renaissance in 2017 – when his rivals stumbled…
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