Tennis' GOAT: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic?

Before the current crop of top-ranked men’s tennis players came to prominence, the most frequently cited candidates for greatest of all time were Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors. When Pete Sampras broke Emerson’s career record for Grand Slams, his name entered the discussion, as did Roger Federer‘s when The Swiss Maestro later surpassed Sampras’ total.

A post shared by Wimbledon (@wimbledon) on Jul 16, 2017 at 10:41am PDT

With Federer’s record eighth Wimbledon title this past summer, there is a growing consensus that he is the best ever play the game, but there are two other current players poised to challenge Federer’s claim to G.O.A.T. in upcoming years.

[fusion_title size=”4″]GRAND SLAM GREATS[/fusion_title]

With Rafael Nadal’s French and US Open titles this year, he moved into sole possession of second place with a total of 16 Slams, and Novak Djokovic is tied with Emerson’s total of 12.

Below we present some of the numbers behind the Grand Slam title leaders. In head-to-head meetings between the three active leaders, Nadal leads Federer 23-14, while Djokovic leads Nadal 26-24, and Federer 23-22.

[fusion_title size=”4″]ROGER FEDERER[/fusion_title]

Federer has won 19 Grand Slam singles titles (five Australian Open, one French Open, eight Wimbledon, five US Open), the most in history for a male tennis player, and held the No. 1 spot in the ATP rankings for a record 237 consecutive weeks and a record total of 302 weeks.

Career Statistics

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″] [fusion_counters_box columns=”3″ color=”#E65E00″ title_size=”” icon_size=”” icon_top=”” body_color=”” body_size=”” border_color=”” animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”” class=”” id=””]
[fusion_counter_box value=”302″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]Weeks at No. 1[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”93″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]Singles titles[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”19″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]Grand Slam titles[/fusion_counter_box]
[/fusion_counters_box] [/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_separator bottom_margin=”16″ style=””]

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″]

% Wins in All Finals

[fusion_counters_circle]
[fusion_counter_circle filledcolor=”#E65E00″ unfilledcolor=”” size=”480″ speed=”1500″ value=”66″].660[/fusion_counter_circle]
[/fusion_counters_circle]
[/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″]

% Wins in Slam Finals

[fusion_counters_circle]
[fusion_counter_circle filledcolor=”#E65E00″ unfilledcolor=”” size=”480″ speed=”1500″ value=”66″].655[/fusion_counter_circle]
[/fusion_counters_circle]
[/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″] [fusion_content_boxes layout=”icon-boxed” columns=”3″ icon_align=”left” title_size=”48″ backgroundcolor=”#FFEEDD” icon_circle=”” icon_circle_radius=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” icon_size=”” link_type=”” link_area=”” animation_delay=”” animation_offset=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.1″ margin_top=”48″ margin_bottom=”12″ class=”” id=””]

[fusion_content_box title=”89%” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/tennis-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Service Games Won[/fusion_content_box]

[fusion_content_box title=”27%” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/tennis-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Return Games Won[/fusion_content_box]

[fusion_content_box title=”65%” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/tennis-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Deciding Sets Won[/fusion_content_box]

[/fusion_content_boxes] [/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_separator bottom_margin=”-12″ style=””]

[fusion_title size=”4″]RAFAEL NADAL[/fusion_title]

Nadal has won 16 Grand Slam singles titles (one Australian Open, ten French Open, two Wimbledon, three US Open), the 2008 Olympic gold medal, a record 18 ATP World Tour 500 tournaments, and is tied with Djokovic for the most ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles with 30.

Career Statistics

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″] [fusion_counters_box columns=”3″ color=”#E65E00″ title_size=”” icon_size=”” icon_top=”” body_color=”” body_size=”” border_color=”” animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”” class=”” id=””]
[fusion_counter_box value=”145″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]Weeks at No. 1[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”74″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]Singles titles[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”16″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]Grand Slam titles[/fusion_counter_box]
[/fusion_counters_box] [/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_separator bottom_margin=”16″ style=””]

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″]

% Wins in All Finals

[fusion_counters_circle]
[fusion_counter_circle filledcolor=”#E65E00″ unfilledcolor=”” size=”480″ speed=”1500″ value=”68″].679[/fusion_counter_circle]
[/fusion_counters_circle]
[/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″]

% Wins in Slam Finals

[fusion_counters_circle]
[fusion_counter_circle filledcolor=”#E65E00″ unfilledcolor=”” size=”480″ speed=”1500″ value=”70″].696[/fusion_counter_circle]
[/fusion_counters_circle]
[/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_content_box title=”85%” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/tennis-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Service Games Won[/fusion_content_box]

[fusion_content_box title=”33%” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/tennis-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Return Games Won[/fusion_content_box]

[fusion_content_box title=”68%” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/tennis-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Deciding Sets Won[/fusion_content_box]

[/fusion_content_boxes] [/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_separator bottom_margin=”-12″ style=””]

[fusion_title size=”4″]PETE SAMPRAS[/fusion_title]

Sampras was the first man to win 14 Grand Slam singles titles (seven Wimbledon, five US Open, two Australian Open). He also won seven year-end championships and finished six consecutive seasons (1993–98) atop the rankings.

Career Statistics

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″] [fusion_counters_box columns=”3″ color=”#E65E00″ title_size=”” icon_size=”” icon_top=”” body_color=”” body_size=”” border_color=”” animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”” class=”” id=””]
[fusion_counter_box value=”286″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]Weeks at No. 1[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”64″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]Singles titles[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”14″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]Grand Slam titles[/fusion_counter_box]
[/fusion_counters_box] [/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_separator bottom_margin=”16″ style=””]

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″]

% Wins in All Finals

[fusion_counters_circle]
[fusion_counter_circle filledcolor=”#E65E00″ unfilledcolor=”” size=”480″ speed=”1500″ value=”66″].727[/fusion_counter_circle]
[/fusion_counters_circle]
[/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″]

% Wins in Slam Finals

[fusion_counters_circle]
[fusion_counter_circle filledcolor=”#E65E00″ unfilledcolor=”” size=”480″ speed=”1500″ value=”78″].778[/fusion_counter_circle]
[/fusion_counters_circle]
[/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_content_box title=”24%” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/tennis-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Return Games Won[/fusion_content_box]

[fusion_content_box title=”69%” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/tennis-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Deciding Sets Won[/fusion_content_box]

[/fusion_content_boxes] [/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_separator bottom_margin=”-12″ style=””]

[fusion_title size=”4″]NOVAK DJOKOVIC[/fusion_title]

In majors, Djokovic has won six Australian Open titles, three Wimbledon titles, two US Open titles and one French Open title. In 2016, he became the eighth player in history to achieve the Career Grand Slam when he defeated Andy Murray in the French Open final.

Career Statistics

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″] [fusion_counters_box columns=”3″ color=”#E65E00″ title_size=”” icon_size=”” icon_top=”” body_color=”” body_size=”” border_color=”” animation_offset=”” hide_on_mobile=”” class=”” id=””]
[fusion_counter_box value=”223″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]Weeks at No. 1[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”68″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]Singles titles[/fusion_counter_box]
[fusion_counter_box value=”12″ delimiter=”” unit=”” unit_pos=”” icon=”” direction=””]Grand Slam titles[/fusion_counter_box]
[/fusion_counters_box] [/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_separator bottom_margin=”16″ style=””]

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″]

% Wins in All Finals

[fusion_counters_circle]
[fusion_counter_circle filledcolor=”#E65E00″ unfilledcolor=”” size=”480″ speed=”1500″ value=”69″].694[/fusion_counter_circle]
[/fusion_counters_circle]
[/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_builder_column type=”1_2″]

% Wins in Slam Finals

[fusion_counters_circle]
[fusion_counter_circle filledcolor=”#E65E00″ unfilledcolor=”” size=”480″ speed=”1500″ value=”57″].571[/fusion_counter_circle]
[/fusion_counters_circle]
[/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_content_box title=”86%” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/tennis-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Service Games Won[/fusion_content_box]

[fusion_content_box title=”32%” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/tennis-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Return Games Won[/fusion_content_box]

[fusion_content_box title=”76%” icon=”” backgroundcolor=”” iconcolor=”” circlecolor=”” circlebordercolor=”” circlebordercolorsize=”” outercirclebordercolor=”” outercirclebordercolorsize=”” iconrotate=”” iconspin=”” image=”http://www.sandbox6.starrcards.com/wp-content/uploads/tennis-240px.png” image_width=”72″ image_height=”72″ link=”” linktarget=”_self” linktext=”” animation_type=”bounce” animation_direction=”down” animation_speed=”0.5″]Deciding Sets Won[/fusion_content_box]

[/fusion_content_boxes] [/fusion_builder_column]

[fusion_separator bottom_margin=”-12″ style=””]

[fusion_title size=”4″]MEN’S SINGLES GRAND SLAM LEADERS[/fusion_title]

[fusion_separator bottom_margin=”8″ style=””]

[fusion_progress percentage=”100″ unit=”%” filledcolor=”#F8E8DD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Roger Federer, 19 —[/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”84.2″ unit=”%” filledcolor=”#FFEEDD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Rafael Nadal, 16 —[/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”73.7″ unit=”%” filledcolor=”#F8E8DD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Pete Sampras, 14 —[/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”63.2″ unit=”%” filledcolor=”#FFEEDD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Roy Emerson, 12 —[/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”63.2″ unit=”%” filledcolor=”#F8E8DD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Novak Djokovic, 12 —[/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”57.9″ unit=”%” filledcolor=”#FFEEDD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Rod Laver, 11 —[/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”57.9″ unit=”%” filledcolor=”#F8E8DD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Bjorn Borg, 11 —[/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”52.6″ unit=”%” filledcolor=”#FFEEDD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Bill Tilden, 10 —[/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”42.1″ unit=”%” filledcolor=”#F8E8DD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Jimmy Connors, 8 —[/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”42.1″ unit=”%” filledcolor=”#FFEEDD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Ivan Lendl, 8 —[/fusion_progress]
[fusion_progress percentage=”42.1″ unit=”%” filledcolor=”#F8E8DD” unfilledcolor=”#DDDDDD”]Andre Agassi, 8 —[/fusion_progress]

Fair, or not, one of the most frequent benchmarks used to gauge a player’s greatness is his Grand Slam title total. One can only speculate how many more Slams Borg would have won had he not retired at 26 years of age, or Laver would have accrued had he not been banned from playing Grand Slam tournaments for the five years prior to the Open Era.