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The so-called ‘GOAT' debate is something that is popular in almost every sport. For some reason, sports fans insist on arguing until they're blue in the face about who is the best at something. Tennis is no different. When it comes to the GOAT of tennis, three names are almost always mentioned. Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal. They all come from the same era, but it's a period in tennis that is often referred to as the golden age of the sport. Djokovic, Nadal and Federer have secured 61 of the last 76 Grand Slam singles titles. Nadal has 21 titles, with Djokovic and Federer having won 20 apiece. Basically, the GOAT debate is a close one. However, given his success against the other two and the fact that he's younger than Nadal and Federer, Djokovic had seemingly emerged as the favorite to secure the most slams, and the GOAT title. Until this year's Australian Open. Because of his vaccine stance, Djokovic was unable to compete in the Australian Open, costing himself a chance to take the lead in Grand Slams. However, Djokovic's Australian Open debacle may have cost him more than just the chance to secure the most Grand Slams in tennis history.
It could also cost him the GOAT title.
Novak Djokovic is an awe-inspiring tennis player. He makes shots that some players can only dream about. His machine-like ability to seemingly return every ball is back-breaking for his opponents. Mentally, he is perhaps the strongest tennis player to have ever taken the court. He has won most of his individual matchups against Nadal and Federer. However, the change in his public perception after the Australian Open debacle and his stubborn vaccine stance might be the one thing he cannot overcome.
Since Djokovic arrived on the ATP Tour, he has had to contend with the likability of both Federer and Nadal. They are revered by fans of the sport, not just for their play, but for the way they have carried themselves over the years. Djokovic has never had that level of appreciation from fans and that was before he went out and declared he wouldn't get the vaccine, drawing a line in the sand when it came to his stance.
Djokovic was already becoming a villain before his Australian Open debacle, thanks to some shocking outbursts on the court, including an incident where he hit a line judge in the throat with a ball. Djokovic was already starting to get on fans' nerves before he decided that he wanted to try to skirt the clear-as-day rules of the Australian Open because his vaccine stance didn't line up with the tournament's.
Not only that, but Djokovic recently doubled down on his vaccine stance, seemingly putting his chances of securing another Grand Slam title this year in serious jeopardy. At this point in time, there is a real chance that the Serbian tennis star may not win any more slams in the near future, unless he changes his vaccine stance, something he has made clear he won't do.
If Novak Djokovic had the most slams in tennis history, he'd be an easy choice as the GOAT. It seems like he won't have that advantage any more over Federer and Nadal in the GOAT debate. He'd also be an easier choice as the GOAT if he didn't alienate nearly every tennis fan with his vaccine stance and debacle at the Australian Open.
