Novak Djokovic: It’s tough to compare eras in GOAT debate

Novak Djokovic was proud to win his way to the Tennis Channel Cadillac Desk, but when it comes to the perennial GOAT debate, the 24-time Grand Slam champion is eager to share the stage.

“I’m very blessed to still be a part of this incredible sport,” he told Prakash Amritraj after making a winning start to his 2025 Miami Open campaign. “All the champions that have paved the way for us have to be recognized.

“This whole GOAT debate…for me, it’s great to be part of it and in the mix, but it’s really hard to compare. There’s just some incredible champions that have created the platform that we have today. Tennis of today is not just because of the last 10-15 years. It’s because of the last 100+ years, so we have to recognize the influence that all the champions had.”

Read more: Djokovic wins 410th Masters 1000 win at 2025 Miami Open

Statistically speaking, many would say Djokovic locked up the debate by winning more majors than his Big 3 rivals, including both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and the former No. 1 is still hitting new milestones with a 410th Masters 1000 win on Friday. But Djokovic sees himself as part of a larger continuum as he cites the way tennis has evolved over the last half-century.

Tennis of today is not just because of the last 10-15 years. It’s because of the last 100+ years, so we have to recognize the influence that all the champions had. Novak Djokovic

“Not so many years ago, we had wooden racquets,” mused Djokovic, who snapped a rare three-match losing streak with a straight-sets victory over Rinky Hijikata. “I remember working with Andre Agassi, when he was my coach. We were talking about how, in his time, he missed a lot of the Slams because he didn’t want to travel to Australia too early in the year; he wanted to prioritize time with family. It’s different.

“I think in the last 15-20 years, I don’t think I’ve missed too many Slams or Masters events,” he added with a laugh, “because the competition in that regard, when it comes to ranking and points, it became really solid and really strong. I remember mostly my rivalries with Nadal, Federer, and Murray, but I’ve been through different generations in the last 20-25 years.”

Djokovic arrived in Miami as under the radar as he’s ever been in his two-decade-plus career, having not won a match since retiring from the Australian Open semifinals. With rival-turned-coach Andy Muray still at his side, the No. 4 seed edged through a close-fought second set to knock out Hijikata to book a third-round clash with Camilo Ugo Carabelli.

“After a mini-crisis of not playing my best in Doha and Indian Wells, I really wanted to start off well at this year’s Miami Open. I had two weeks since that first-round loss to Van de Zandschulp, and I really worked hard. I put in a lot of hours with Andy on the court, came in early.”

In between the hard work, Djokovic made time to celebrate the last of the Sunshine Swing events with help from restauranteur-tennis fan Dave Grutman.

“There are so many places in the city,” said Djokovic, echoing WTA world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. “You hit the town, have some great food. [Dave] Grutman is a great tennis fan but we’re also a fan of him, and he’s so nice to all the players, really friendly and welcoming to all of us each year.

“It’s a lot of fun in Miami, on and off the court. It’s a great enjoyment.”

As long as Djokovic continues to feel that enjoyment on court, the 37-year-old promises his career will continue.

“If I’m feeling and playing the way I did today, it’s pleasure and I find joy on the court, regardless of where I am.

“I want to keep going as long as I have that feeling. Obviously, it’s not going to be there every match, but as long as I have that feeling of being able to compete with the guys at the highest level, I’ll keep going. The desire’s there. The support of the closest people in my life is there, so let’s see how far I can go.”