With his US Open triumph in 2023, Novak Djokovic surpassed his arch-rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the Grand Slam tally. Now that he has secured the most major triumphs (24) on the men’s tour, many in the tennis community regard the Serbian player as the ‘best in history.’ But Carlos Alcaraz has a somewhat different take on the matter, which has now irked a flurry of Djokovic fans.
Even though he believes that his Serbian colleague has the ‘best statistics,’ the young Spanish tennis sensation recently opened up about how he believes that the ‘best’ is something that goes beyond the numbers. However, Alcaraz’s honest statement didn’t sit well with many fans, as they recently came forward to call him out on social media.
Novak Djokovic fans react to Carlos Alcaraz’s honest take on the ‘best player in history’
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In an interview with Marca, Carlos Alcaraz said that, even though Novak has the best statistics, all 3 of Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer are the best in the history of the racket game. He said, “At the level of numbers, Djokovic is the best in history, there is no doubt about that. I think to say who is the best is something that goes beyond the numbers. All three are the best in history.”
Reacting to his statements on Twitter, a fan recently asserted that the narrative has started shifting after Djokovic surpassed his archrivals in terms of records and statistics.
Yeah when Roger had all the records, stats were all that mattered in the GOAT debate
But as soon as Novak started to overtake them, the narrative started shifting towards who was the most loved, or who had the toughest opponents, or who was injured more
It’s laughable really😂
— G.o.a.t (@Vuk135) February 21, 2024
Others also flocked to the comments section, as they made their stance clear that the 24-time singles Grand Slam champion is the only one when it comes to the ‘best player in history.’ One user said that Alcaraz is speaking ‘tongue in cheek’ as all the facts depend on the ‘stats.’
Alcaraz, speaking tongue in cheek. We all know who he doesn't want to hurt. But that doesn't change the fact. And the fact depends on the stats. And only one guy has the stats to lay claim to being the best of the trio. It's neither Federer, nor Nadal. It's Djokovic.
— Cuezmd (@onunwabifra) February 22, 2024
Similarly, another user claimed that although all three ATP legends are among the best, only Djokovic is the GOAT’ on the ATP Tour.
ALL 3 are the best in history but the only GOAT is Djokovic.
There's one GOAT.He doesn't have balls to say only Novak cause he fears Fedal fans outrage and media reaction.
— Medinspiration (@inspiredbymed) February 21, 2024
Meanwhile, a user labeled Alcaraz’s remarks as an ‘absurd politically milquetoast answer’ as he asserted that the longstanding ‘GOAT’ debate has already been settled.
An absurd politically milquetoast answer.
Novak is GOAT. Its not even debatable anymore.
— The Notorious R.O.B. (@robolivermd) February 21, 2024
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Another fan brutally criticized the young Spaniard for not ‘understanding’ the stature of being the ‘best.’
Alcaraz doesn't understand what the word "the best " means
— Lena T (@jt22145225) February 21, 2024
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What do you think of the young Spanish tennis sensation being criticized for his honest take on the ‘best player in history’ of the racket game? Let us know in the comments section.