Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic’s tennis legacies may never be matched, having won a combined 66 Grand Slam titles.
The so-called ‘big three’ dominated the ATP Tour for almost 20 years, frequently taking home the sport’s biggest prizes.
Federer won his first Major title at Wimbledon in 2003, 20 years before Djokovic’s most recent Grand Slam triumph at the US Open.
Nadal’s record 14 French Open titles is another breathtaking achievement that will take some beating, with the Spaniard joining the Swiss and Serb stars by leaving his mark on tennis.
The debate rages on as to which of the three is truly the greatest of all time, with fans, players, and pundits offering valid arguments for each legend.
One ATP star has now given his verdict, naming the player he considers to be the G.O.A.T.
Bernard Tomic picks Novak Djokovic as the ‘greatest of all time’ above Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer
Appearing as a guest on the Changeover podcast, former world number 17, Bernard Tomic, shared his pick for the greatest of all time.
“Novak [Djokovic] in his prime, no-one could match him for sure,” he said.
“When he was playing well, he was chopping [Roger] Federer 6-2, 6-2, Rafa [Nadal], 6-2, 6-1, he was that good man.
“You can’t compete; he’s the greatest of all time; there will be no one like him for sure.
“I played [Djokovic] five times, the most out of them all, I lost five times.”
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2019 Miami Open – 2R | Novak Djokovic | Bernard Tomic | 7-6, 6-2 |
| 2015 Shanghai Masters – QF | Novak Djokovic | Bernard Tomic | 7-6, 6-1 |
| 2015 Wimbledon – 3R | Novak Djokovic | Bernard Tomic | 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2012 Canadian Open – 2R | Novak Djokovic | Bernard Tomic | 6-2, 6-3 |
| 2012 Italian Open – 2R | Novak Djokovic | Bernard Tomic | 6-3, 6-3 |
| 2011 Wimbledon – QF | Novak Djokovic | Bernard Tomic | 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 |
The Aussie then looked back upon his encounters with Nadal and Federer.
“Rafa, I only played twice, I believe, played him on grass in Stuttgart, lost 6-4 in the third, so I didn’t play him too many times,” he said.
“Federer I played only two or three times, once I think was Davis Cup, 6-4 in the fourth.”
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2015 Stuttgart Open – QF | Rafael Nadal | Bernard Tomic | 6-4, 6-7, 6-3 |
| 2014 Australian Open – 1R | Rafael Nadal | Bernard Tomic | 6-4 (RET) |
| 2013 Australian Open – 3R | Roger Federer | Bernard Tomic | 6-4, 7-6, 6-1 |
| 2012 Cincinnati Open – 3R | Roger Federer | Bernard Tomic | 6-2, 6-4 |
| 2012 Australian Open – 4R | Roger Federer | Bernard Tomic | 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 |
| 2011 Davis Cup – RR | Roger Federer | Bernard Tomic | 6-2, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 |
| 2011 Australian Open – 3R | Rafael Nadal | Bernard Tomic | 6-2, 7-5, 6-3 |
Tomic also struggled against another Grand Slam champion, failing to take a set off of British legend Andy Murray.
“[Andy] Murray I could never take a set off, ever,” he said.
“I was always playing him when he was number one.
“I played him in Davis Cup, Australian Open round of 16 when he was number one, Cincinnati quarters when he was number one, many times I played him when he was number one, didn’t win a set.”
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2016 Cincinnati Open – QF | Andy Murray | Bernard Tomic | 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2016 Australian Open – 4R | Andy Murray | Bernard Tomic | 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 |
| 2015 Davis Cup – SF | Andy Murray | Bernard Tomic | 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 |
| 2013 Miami Open – 2R | Andy Murray | Bernard Tomic | 6-3, 6-1 |
| 2012 Brisbane International – SF | Andy Murray | Bernard Tomic | 6-3, 6-2 |
Tomic has a disappointing 0-18 record against members of the ‘big four’, winning just three sets across the 18 matches.
Did Bernard Tomic ever win a match against a top-ten player?
The 32-year-old may have struggled against the very best in men’s tennis but that’s not to say he hasn’t secured some big wins during his time on tour.
In total, Tomic has eight wins under his belt against top-ten players, with one win coming against an opponent ranked in the top five.
- 1. 2011 Wimbledon 3R – Bernard Tomic beat [5] Robin Soderling
- 2. 2011 Shanghai Masters 2R – Bernard Tomic beat [9] Mardy Fish
- 3. 2013 Wimbledon 3R – Bernard Tomic beat [9] Richard Gasquet
- 4. 2015 Indian Wells 3R – Bernard Tomic beat [8] David Ferrer
- 5. 2015 Canadian Open 2R – Bernard Tomic beat [8] Marin Cilic
- 6. 2015 Shanghai Masters 2R – Bernard Tomic beat [8] David Ferrer
- 7. 2016 Brisbane International QF – Bernard Tomic beat [8] Kei Nishikori
- 8. 2016 Cincinnati Open 3R – Bernard Tomic beat [7] Kei Nishikori
Only time will tell if Tomic can add another top-ten win to his tally, as he continues to grind on the Challenger Tour.
Tomic will return to action in Mexico City when the tournament begins on April 7.
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