Former World No. 6 Alex de Minaur chooses the greatest player of all time between Federer, Djokovic and Nadal

Alex de Minaur Weighs in on the GOAT Debate

Australian tennis star and former World No. 6, Alex de Minaur, has shared his thoughts on the greatest player of all time (GOAT) debate, choosing Novak Djokovic over Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Since making his ATP Tour debut in 2015, de Minaur has gained recognition for his speed and relentless energy on the court. The 26-year-old has claimed nine ATP titles and reached the quarterfinals of all four Grand Slam tournaments. Having faced all three legends of the sport, the Australian once offered his take on who stands above the rest.

“It’s no secret Novak’s level is incredible, and he’s probably the GOAT if we’re honest,” de Minaur said ahead of his 2024 United Cup clash against Djokovic, a match he won 6-4, 6-4—his first and only victory over the Serbian in four attempts.

Why De Minaur Picks Djokovic

De Minaur’s perspective aligns with many in the tennis world, given Djokovic’s unprecedented achievements. The Serbian holds several records, including the most Grand Slam titles in the Open Era (24) and the longest reign as World No. 1 (428 weeks). He also achieved a career Golden Slam with his 2024 Paris Olympics gold medal.

While some younger stars, such as Holger Rune, have different views on the GOAT debate, Djokovic remains the only active member of the Big Three, allowing him to extend his legacy further.

Despite a rocky start to 2025—retiring in the Australian Open semifinals due to a hamstring injury and suffering early exits in Qatar and Indian Wells—Djokovic remains determined to add to his major title haul under the guidance of his new coach, former rival Andy Murray.

De Minaur vs. The Big Three

De Minaur has faced all three legends throughout his career, with varying degrees of success:

• Roger Federer (0-1 H2H): The pair met only once, in the 2019 Basel final, where Federer triumphed.
• Novak Djokovic (1-3 H2H): De Minaur secured his lone win at the 2024 United Cup, but Djokovic prevailed in their other meetings at the 2023 Australian Open, the 2024 Monte Carlo Masters, and the United Cup. De Minaur also withdrew from their scheduled 2024 Wimbledon quarterfinal.
• Rafael Nadal (2-4 H2H): The Australian claimed two victories, one on clay in the 2023 Barcelona Open and another on hard courts at the 2023 United Cup.

As the GOAT debate continues, Djokovic remains the last of the Big Three still competing, giving him the opportunity to further cement his legacy.