French Open: Novak Djokovic is the best of all time, says Mats Wilander, but the greatest is a different question

Updated 12/06/2023 at 16:17 GMT

Mat Wilander has explained why he thinks the discussion over the greatest of all time in tennis should be reframed as the best of all time, or BOAT. Wilander believes that if you are simply talking about the best tennis player of all time then there is no choice but new French Open champion Novak Djokovic, who beat Casper Ruud in straight sets on Sunday in the men's final.

'He's winning the BOAT race' - Wilander ranks Djokovic's career achievements

Eurosport expert Mats Wilander has hailed French Open champion Novak Djokovic as the men's BOAT - best of all time - and has explained why he hates the term GOAT.

Djokovic beat Casper Ruud in straight sets on Sunday to lift his 23rd Grand Slam title, more than any player in history on the men’s tour.

It has led to a lot of discussions about whether Djokovic has moved ahead of fellow 'Big Three' members Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the battle to be crowned the greatest of all time.

ATP Madrid

Swiatek, Kyrgios see no issue with Nadal shirt request as Lehecka says it's 'kind of weird'

5 hours ago

Speaking to Eurosport at the end of the Grand Slam, Wilander was presented with a list of all of Djokovic’s career achievements and was asked to rank them.

Towards the end of the discussion Wilander got to Djokovic winning more ATP 1000 titles than any player in history (38, two ahead of Nadal) and made the point about a) the greatness of Djokovic and b) using the term GOAT.

Highlights: Djokovic makes history by winning 23rd Grand Slam against Ruud

“And finally more ATP 1000 titles than anybody else,” Wilander said. “The incredible thing about that is that he’s doing that as well. He’s won the most Grand Slams and he’s won the most ATP titles.

“So he’s been the most consistent player in the last 15 years.”

Wilander continued to discuss the way we assess the best players ever.

“I hate the expression ‘GOAT’ even though I see a goat here [gesturing towards the screen].

I would have liked to call it the BOAT race - the best of all time is Novak Djokovic, but when you start saying great I think more things come into it than just the sport itself.

“It’s what you bring to the sport and so on, and I don’t think we can separate the 'Big Three' when it comes to the greatest of all time.

“But the best of all time? We have him in front of us and it’s Novak Djokovic.”

Obviously Djokovic was asked about being the GOAT after he had won the final, but the Serbian star elected to leave that decision to other people.

'He's better than ever' - Expert reaction to Djokovic winning 23rd Grand Slam title

"I don't want to say that I am the greatest because I feel it's disrespectful towards all the great champions in different eras of our sport that was played in a completely different way than it is played [on Sunday].

"So I leave those kind of discussions of who is the greatest to someone else. I have, of course, huge faith and confidence and belief in myself and for everything that I am and who I am and what I am capable of doing.

"I feel incredibly proud, fulfilled. Of course the journey is still not over. I feel, if I'm winning Slams, why even think about ending the career that already has been going on for 20 years?”

In the end Wilander decided that winning 23 Grand Slams - currently one more than Nadal and three more than Federer - is the best achievement of Djokovic’s career.

You can see the full rankings below and if you’re curious for Wilander’s explanations make sure to check out the full video at the top of this article.