Novak Djokovic’s Australian Open semi-final win was not just another victory over Roger Federer at a Grand Slam. But rather it was another reminder that he is breathing down his neck in the pursuit of the title that means most of all: the Greatest Of All Time.
The Serb was just 16 years old when Federer claimed his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003 but now is on the verge of moving to within three Slam triumphs of the Swiss.
Federer leads the way with a staggering 20 Grand Slam titles while Rafael Nadal is stuck on 19 and Djokovic teetering on 16.
Novak Djokovic’s win on Thursday was a reminder he is breathing down Roger Federer’s neck
Federer was beaten in straight sets in the semi-finals of the Australian Open by the 32-year-old
But with time on their side both Djokovic and Nadal are nipping at Federer’s heels in the battle for supremacy, with Djokovic having a golden chance to notch one more on Sunday.
The race to be tennis’s all-time leading Grand Slam winner is well and truly on and if Djokovic wins his eighth Australian Open title on Sunday the debate of who is the GOAT will be reignited.
With Federer at the grand old age of 38, Nadal at 33 and Djokovic at 32 the sport is waiting for that ‘changing of the guard’ moment.
Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas are expected to soon dominate but the Big Three all reached at least the quarter-finals in Melbourne this week.
Thiem has the chance to spark that transition against Djokovic in the Australian Open final but the major Down Under has been the Serb’s most successful and he is determined to stay at the top of the game.
‘I’m going to try my best to prolong our domination in the Grand Slam as much as possible,’ Djokovic said after beating Federer in straight sets on Thursday. ‘I’m sure Roger and Rafa would agree.’
Federer still holds the records for most Grand Slams – his last coming at Australian Open 2018
The trio’s stranglehold on the Grand Slams has been remarkable. They have won a sensational 55 major titles over the last 17 years between them.
Astonishingly Federer had already won 12 Grand Slam titles by the time Djokovic claimed his first while Nadal was on five by the end of 2008.
Federer broke Pete Sampras’ Grand Slam record with victory over Andy Roddick at Wimbledon 11 years ago.
By the time Federer took his tally to 16, Djokovic had won four Grand Slams while Nadal had increased his total to 10 by the end of 2011.
Rafael Nadal is currently on 19 Grand Slams, Djokovic is on 16 while Federer leads way with 20
But since 2012 Federer has won just four Grand Slams with his last major win coming in 2018 at the Australian Open.
Federer has not beaten Djokovic at a Grand Slam for eight years and the Serb has won a Grand Slam each year bar one in that time.
The Swiss did not win a Grand Slam between 2013 and 2016 and in that time Nadal moved to within three majors of Federer while Djokovic took his tally up to 12.
It has been in the last five years where Djokovic has exerted his authority over the Australian Open, US Open and Wimbledon while Spaniard Nadal has remained the King of Clay in France.
Injuries have played their part in all three careers of late with Federer the latest to succumb to the strains of the game. He had to receive treatment on his lower back/groin area after the first set on Thursday and failed to recover – a sign of Federer’s body finally ageing, perhaps. Djokovic, meanwhile, looks strong. He has hired Goran Ivanisevic to help with his serve and it has paid off.
A graph which shows the ongoing race between the trio and how it’s developed over the years
Djokovic could move onto 17 Grand Slam wins on Sunday while Nadal is currently odds-on favourite to claim the French Open in the summer, which would equal Federer’s record.
This year’s Wimbledon will be Federer’s best chance of increasing his total and the Swiss has backed himself to add his tally.
‘Yes, I do believe,’ he said following the defeat by Djokovic.
‘I think by having the year that I had last year, also with what I have in my game, how I’m playing, I do feel that.’
He did imply, however, that he has more chance of winning tournaments that are the best of three sets.
Will the player with the most Grand Slams qualify as the GOAT? Federer has been seen as that after toppling Sampras and holding the record. But if Djokovic or Nadal supersede the 38-year-old will he still be considered the greatest?
Dominic Thiem has the chance to stop Djokovic in the Australian Open final on Sunday
Federer is loved by millions of fans around the world who will never accept anyone else is the GOAT, and will point towards his style of play and grace as to why he still beats anyone else to the accolade.
But if Djokovic or Nadal do manage to overhaul Federer and become the record holder there will be plenty of arguments that they are the GOAT and a debate could rumble on for years.
The sport has been blessed to have all three but after so long at the summit there is a real possibility Djokovic or Nadal could pip Federer.
The pair have got years on their rival and they shared the four Slams between them last year.
Djokovic’s victory over Federer was a signal of intent. The Serb is coming for his Grand Slam record. By Sunday afternoon he could be one step closer.