Federer, Nadal or Djokovic? When Serena Williams settled the GOAT debate
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Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic at the 2022 Laver Cup (Credit: Imago)

Federer, Nadal or Djokovic? When Serena Williams settled the GOAT debate

Seye Omidiora 09:17 - 16.01.2025

Throwback to when the greatest women’s tennis player of the Open Era chose her favourite among the Big Three: Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.

Legendary 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams weighed in on the debate surrounding the greatest male tennis player of all time in 2021. 

Tennis fans often argue among the Big Three of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who have won 294 titles overall, with Federer winning 103 before retirement, Nadal ending his career with 92 and Djokovic currently bidding to win his 100th title at the ongoing 2025 Australian Open. 

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic in action at the Australian Open on January 15, 2025

What Williams said on GOAT debate

Speaking five years ago during a press conference at the Williams Emilia-Romagna Open in Parma, Williams ultimately chose Federer, citing the 103-time titlist's exceptional talent, on-court elegance and impact on the sport.

Serena Williams and Roger Federer
Tennis greats Serena Williams and Roger Federer (Credit: Imago)

"I think two words sum it up: Roger Federer," Williams said in 2021. “He's just a synopsis of greatness and class and amazing and really changed the game. You see players playing like him, moving like him, doing his techniques. The guy is a genius."

"I just feel like he is really the greatest player. You can't not like the guy, that's how I feel. His game is so fantastic. If I could only play like him."

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Williams retired from tennis in 2022, with her final match against Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the US Open. 

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