When Rod Laver speaks, the tennis world listens.
Well he spoke earlier this week, and his words turned more than a few heads.
The 11-time Grand Slam champion—who happens to be only player in history to capture the calendar-year Slam twice—believes that Novak Djokovic has equaled Roger Federer in the greatest-of-all-time debate.
"I don't think you put one of those two above the other when you look at their performances," the 77-year-old Australian told *ESPN.com*. "You know what Roger's record is. But the way that Djokovic has been playing over the last year or so, I would say that Djokovic and Federer are equals.
"When you look at Djokovic's performances and his results, you just have to say, 'Hey, this guy's unbelievable, and how can you look past him when discussing who is the best ever?'"
The numbers speak for themselves. Federer’s 17 singles majors are the most of all-time. Djokovic, six years the Swiss’ junior, has 11 major titles. But the eye test tells us that Djokovic, who has been the most dominant player in the sport for the better part of two years and has won four of the past five Slams, has a lot more championships in him.