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Bjorn Borg Had No Doubts When Ranking Djokovic, Federer and Nadal in GOAT Debate

Home> Tennis

Published 18:06 25 Sep 2025 GMT+1

Bjorn Borg Had No Doubts When Ranking Djokovic, Federer and Nadal in GOAT Debate

The Ice-cool King of Wimbledon delivered a quick response when explaining who he believed to be the greatest tennis player of all time.

Ben McAleer

Ben McAleer

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Bjorn Borg was in no doubt when asked who he thought was the greatest tennis player of all time.

The former Swedish tennis star, who some believe to be the best to have ever graced the sport, was nicknamed the Ice-cool King of Wimbledon, given his exploits on these shores.

Borg dominated Wimbledon between 1976 and 1980, winning the tournament for five years running before losing to John McEnroe in 1981.

The Ice Man, who was ranked as the world number 1 for 109 weeks straight by the ATP, won 66 singles titles during his illustrious career, including 11 majors.

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Proof, then, that whenever Borg speaks up, you listen, and the legend himself believes a current player is the greatest of all time.

Borg weighs in on GOAT debate

Speaking exclusively to Sky Tennis, the 69-year-old quickly replied when asked who is the greatest: "I think the way he's playing, Djokovic, for me, is the greatest player to have ever played the game.

“And then the second place comes to (Roger) Federer and (Rafa) Nadal. They tied for second place.

"It's amazing how he can play that kind of tennis, 38 years old. I'm very impressed.”

Novak Djokovic continues to impress at the age of 38. (Image: Clive Brunskill / Staff via Getty)
Novak Djokovic continues to impress at the age of 38. (Image: Clive Brunskill / Staff via Getty)

Djokovic will play in the Shanghai Masters this month as he looks to better last year’s final loss to Jannik Sinner.

It’s a far cry from his comments ahead of the US Open, where he outlined his intention to focus solely on Grand Slam tournaments, stating: “To be quite frank with you, I don't enjoy the two-week Masters events anymore. It's just way too long for me.”

Earlier this month, though, the Serb said: “I do fancy my chances a bit more in best-of-three, I guess, one-week tournaments or the Masters tournaments, where you have almost two weeks with quite a few days between matches.

“So, you know, that could serve me better in the matchups against them.”

Djokovic’s comments come after he lost in the semi-finals of the US Open to eventual winner Carlos Alcaraz.

And there will be a new champion in the China Open after Alcaraz opted against taking part in the tournament.

Djokovic 'wants to win 25th Grand Slam'

Borg, meanwhile, also believes that Djokovic, who turns 39 next May, is eyeing up a 25th Grand Slam success.

"I know he wants to win that 25th Grand Slam tournament,” Borg added.

“I hope he's going to play one more year, at least next year too, because the tennis he's playing. It's going to be tough with (Jannik) Sinner and (Carlos) Alcaraz and some other players too, but still, he can do it.”

Djokovic has been praised for his longevity within the game, especially as Borg stunned the sporting world when he retired at just 26.

On his decision to hang up his racket, Borg said: “I could never be by myself. I had room service all the time. If I went down to a restaurant or the hotel, there was people around. If I went to a restaurant in town, there was always 15 or 20 photographers outside.”

Featured Image Credit: Karwai Tang/WireImage

Topics: Tennis, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal

Ben McAleer
Ben McAleer

Frustrated Tottenham fan. Football expert. As seen on the Guardian, the Independent, Sky Sports and the Irish Examiner.

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