The debate around the greatest tennis player of all time is one that throws up a number of different answers.
Many think the ‘GOAT’ is Novak Djokovic, who has claimed a total of 24 Grand Slams throughout his career, and is still going.
Plenty of fans say it is clearly Rafael Nadal, with the Spaniard winning all 22 of his major crowns within the most difficult period of the ‘big three’ era.
Some make the case for Margaret Court, who won as many Grand Slams as Djokovic, while others insist that Roger Federer is the greatest.
However, Lindsay Davenport once weighed in on the debate and gave an answer different to all of the above.
Lindsay Davenport’s pick for the greatest player of all time
Speaking on Tennis Channel back in 2020, Davenport said: “Serena Williams is the greatest of all time in my opinion. If you consider not only the singles, but also the doubles. Her longevity.
“And I give her extra points for winning a major while pregnant,” said the three-time Grand Slam champion.
Serena Williams picked Roger Federer as the G.O.A.T.
Williams put together one of the greatest careers in tennis history during her time on the WTA Tour, which lasted from 1995 until 2022.
The American won a total of 73 WTA Tour-level titles, including 23 Grand Slams; one less than the record holder, Court.
She was ranked as the world number one for 319 weeks, and is the only player to achieve the Career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles, by winning all four majors as well as a gold medal in the two categories.
While she may not have a higher Grand Slam count than Djokovic and Court, Williams is certainly in the discussion for the ‘greatest of all time’ title.
Lindsay Davenport’s second greatest player of all time
Davenport then chose her second greatest player of all time, who she thinks is 22-time major winner Steffi Graf.
She said: “Look at her results, and all her Grand Slams. She was the Top 2 for over 10 years. So dominant. I think she would have added even more.”
Is Roger Federer the greatest tennis player of all time?
In third place, Davenport had Federer and Nadal, who, at the time, had collected Grand Slam totals of 20 and 19, respectively.
Then, Rod Laver came in at fifth, while Djokovic was sixth, with the Serb still trailing his two great rivals in majors back then with 17.
Djokovic has claimed eight of his 24 Grand Slams since 2020, three of which he has secured after Federer retired.
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