Who is the greatest amongst the ‘big’ 3 in tennis? – this is a question that has been pondered upon by fans and experts alike across the globe. With the G.O.A.T discussions almost always centering around Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, there is no denying the fact that these 3 behemoths are the most accomplished and decorated players the sport has ever seen. While opinions may vary amongst their respective fanbases, the Big 3 have without a doubt, collectively taken the popularity of this sport to greater heights.
Keeping the big 3 discussions alive, former Roland Garros winner Yannick Noah shared his opinions on the famed trinity in a recent interview. Here is what he had to say.
Yannick Noah puts Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal ahead of Novak Djokovic
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In an exclusive interview with Argentine daily La Nacion, 63-year-old Noah gave his perspectives on the triad. Speaking of the Swiss Maestro, he said, “Federer was an artist”. “Federer did everything the greats did and more. For a tennis coach, he was the best..”, he went on, putting him ahead of the rest.
He also shared his admiration for Rafael Nadal, “Rafa is number one by far. Rafa won 22 Grand Slams and when you see him he is still the same humble boy as always. For this reason, among the three, he is my favorite.”?
But when asked about the Serb, he was quite unapologetic with his response, “Djokovic? I’m not sorry, but I don’t know why. The other two have more charisma. I’m not attracted to him.”
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Noah is much of a history-maker himself. When he won the French Open crown in 1983, it was the last time a tennis player would win a grand slam holding a wooden racquet. He is also the last Frenchman to win the coveted Roland Garros title.
The legendary triumvirate that shaped modern tennis
The history shared by Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic is humongous. These 3 have given us some of the most memorable matches in the history of tennis, especially when they played each other. Who can forget the epic showdown between Nadal and Djokovic at the 2012 Australian Open final resulting in a masterpiece? Or the 5-set thriller between Federer and Djokovic at the 2019 Wimbledon finals? And of course, it would be a crime not to mention the iconic 2008 Wimbledon final that cemented the Fedal rivalry forever in our hearts.
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Do you agree with Yannick Noah’s assessments? of the 3 legends? Let us know in the comments.