Novak Djokovic: “I Don’t Want To Say That I Am The Greatest”

Novak Djokovic has now cleared Rafael Nadal and of course is ahead of Roger Federer on the all-time men’s Grand Slam leaderboard and he’s the only man with three Career Slams following his triumph yesterday at the French Open, but the Serb isn’t ready to take over the GOAT title just yet.

“I don’t want to say that I am the greatest,” Djokovic said Sunday. “I don’t want to say that I am the greatest, because I feel, I’ve said it before, it’s disrespectful towards all the great champions in different eras of our sport that was played in completely different way than it is played today.

“So I feel like each great champion of his own generation has left a huge mark, a legacy, and paved the way for us to be able to play this sport in such a great stage worldwide.

“So I leave those kind of discussions of who is the greatest to someone else. You know, I have of course huge faith and confidence and belief, you know, to myself and for everything that I am and who I am and what I am capable of doing. So this trophy obviously is another confirmation of the quality of tennis that I’m still able to produce, I feel.”

He did admit that he’s proud to be ahead of his rivals Nadal and Federer.

“So it’s amazing to know that I’m one ahead of both of them in Grand Slams, with Rafa, but at the same time, everyone writes their own history,” he said. “I still think that everyone has a unique journey that they should embrace and stick to. But of course having the three of us, with Andy of course, as well, that we cannot forget, in the last 20 years, it’s kind of reached the golden era of the men’s tennis, as people like to call it.

“So I’m really grateful to be part of this group of guys.”

Overall, Djokovic’s 23 is tied with Serena Williams and one behind Margaret Court’s 24. He’s also missing a gold medal. So there are still records to catch.

“Of course journey is still not over,” Djokovic said. “If I’m winning slams, why even think about ending the career that already has been going on for 20 years. So I still feel motivated, I still feel inspired to play the best tennis on these tournaments the most, you know, Grand Slams. Those are the ones that count I guess the most in history of our sport.

“I look forward already to Wimbledon.”

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