The Big Three of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic have all gone down in history as tennis greats thanks to their efforts on the court.
Among their other stunning feats, Djokovic, Nadal and Federer occupy the top three places in the all-time men’s Grand Slam titles leaderboard.
Nadal thanked Djokovic and Federer after his farewell ceremony at the French Open earlier this month, which fellow legend Andy Murray also attended.
Djokovic remains active on the ATP Tour, but Nadal has followed iconic duo Federer and Murray into retirement.
Fortunately, the future of tennis is in safe hands with Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, who played out a thrilling French Open final.
Boris Becker picks last tennis Mount Rushmore player with Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic
But it is legendary figures Djokovic, Nadal and Federer who stand out from the crowd, and the trio have now emerged as the leading candidates to occupy places on the ideal Mount Rushmore of tennis.
Sharing his take on who deserves the fourth spot on the iconic monument, Tennis commentator Rob Koenig wrote on X: [Bjorn] Borg for me. Tennis’s first global superstar.”
And another legend in Boris Becker was quick to agree, with the German replying: “Absolutely Bjorn Borg!”
Who should join Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic on tennis Mount Rushmore?
Brad Gilbert, who once coached WTA Tour star Coco Gauff, was also on hand to share his perspective on the idea.
Throwing another legend into the mix, he wrote on X: “Borg was first global icon, Andre Agassi was up there as well.”
READ MORE: The tournament which Novak Djokovic is now being predicted to retire at which is under a year away
Former player Mardy Fish also joined the debate on social media, commenting: “Huh? Pete Sampras. Is this an actual question?”
It is certainly an interesting discussion, but few can look past the choices of Djokovic, Nadal and Federer as fully deserving of a spot.
That leaves only one space left, with a long list of iconic men’s players arguably deserving of a place on the imagined South Dakota replica.
Fourth in the list for Grand Slam titles, Pete Sampras is certainly a strong candidate, along with Becker’s suggestion of Borg and Gilbert’s suggestion of Agassi.
But Rod Laver would also make the shortlist, while current stars Sinner and Alcaraz may just be planning to emulate the likes of the Big Three in the coming years, which would certainly put their names in contention.
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