Former Swedish Tennis Great Sheds Light on Next Gen?s Novak Djokovic Preference Over Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as He Cites Boris Becker Anecdote

If there’s one debate in tennis that fans will perhaps never be tired of participating in, it is the greatest of all time (GOAT) debate involving the famed triumvirate of modern tennis – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. This perennially relevant discussion has kept millions of fans and players themselves engaged for the past many years. Their dominance on the tour for so many years also raises another important question – why can’t the next generation of ATP players catch up with The Big 3?

Swedish tennis great Mats Wilander recently shed light on a certain viewpoint of the majority of the ATP players from the new generation regarding the three stalwarts of modern tennis, as he shared an anecdote from Boris Becker.

Is Novak Djokovic the more preferred opponent for next-gen players as compared to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal?

Seven-time grand slam champion Mats Wilander currently works as a tennis commentator and pundit and is well known for his expert analysis and insights. In a recent interview with Eurosport, the Swede opened up on an insight he received from tennis legend Boris Becker, which revealed that most players from the younger generation back themselves more while playing against Novak Djokovic, in comparison to the other two.

“100% walk out on court and think they can beat Novak Djokovic. Maybe not every player in the draw, but a lot of players think they have a chance to beat him.. I actually got a tip from Boris Becker once when he said the younger generation prefers to play Novak compared to Roger and Rafa, because they play with so much spin and variation and Novak doesn?t..”, he mentioned.

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Wilander further added, “So the actual hitting part against Novak is not a problem for any player pretty much on the Tour, but it?s just staying with him and realising that what you have to do is play the best match of your life.”

Looking at the incredible run of form Novak Djokovic is having currently, it seems that although the next-gen players prefer playing the Serb, it is almost impossible for them to get the better of the 36-year-old in big matches at the moment. A seamless Djokovic continues to break more records on the tour, taking him statistically further away from Federer and Nadal with every passing tournament.

Djokovic still going strong on the tour, unlike other members of The Big 3

The Swiss Maestro Roger Federer bid adieu to the sport last year as he put an end to a stellar career that saw him win 20 grand slam titles. His greatest rival, the 22-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal, is expected to remain out of action for at least the rest of the season after undergoing hip surgery last month. Nadal has also hinted at the possibility of the following season being his last on the tour.

On the contrary, Novak Djokovic is continuing his undisputed hegemony on the court. After winning a record-breaking 23rd grand slam title at the French Open, surpassing Nadal. He is just one match away from equaling Roger Federer’s record of 8 Wimbledon titles as he prepares to take on Carlos Alcaraz in the finals of SW19 on Sunday.

It is clear that even though the next-gen stars back themselves against the Serb as compared to his 2 biggest rivals, ‘it ain’t happening’ yet as famously said by Djokovic himself! On course to winning a record-extending 24th grand slam title at the All England Club, Djokovic isn’t really in the mood to pass the torch just yet!

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