The GOAT in Navratilova’s eyes – and it’s not Djokovic, Federer or Nadal

During the 2019 Wimbledon Championships, Navratilova shared her thoughts on the never-ending GOAT debate, a topic that rarely cools down.

She did not go with one of the usual suspects from today’s game. Instead, she backed an Australian legend.

“I don’t like to say the greatest because for me Rod Laver was the greatest. But Pete Sampras was one of the all-time greats and of course so is Roger, so is Novak and Rafa Nadal,” she began by saying.

“So it’s hard to compare generations, it’s a different time, different rackets, different everything. The sport evolved. There’s no doubt in my mind that if Roger Federer had played in the ‘50s he would have been number one then and if Rod Laver played now he would be number one now.

“I think the champions always rise to the top regardless of what generation, so I like to say one of the all-time greats, but to say this one over that one, it’s so subjective and it’s comparing apples to oranges.”

How Rod Laver stacks up against Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal

Navratilova is one of the many to note that trying to compare athletes across different eras is not practical. Yet, it still feels unavoidable in these types of discussions.

The debate has only grown since the Big Three began stepping away from the game.

Federer was first to go, then Nadal retired in 2024, and now only Djokovic remains. At 39 and facing two rising stars in Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, his days of Grand Slam dominance may be behind him.

Even so, there is little doubt that Djokovic will reflect proudly on his 24 major titles once his playing days are over.

Laver won 11 Grand Slam titles but also achieved something none of the others did: a Calendar Grand Slam not just once, but twice. He completed it in both 1962 and 1969 – a level of dominance rarely seen before or since.

Adding nine more doubles major titles, the Australian capped off a remarkable career that at the very least deserves discussion among the sport’s all-time greats.