Tim Henman delivers seven-word verdict on tennis GOAT debate as Rafa Nadal settles | Tennis | Sport

Tim Henman has brutally snubbed Rafael Nadal when weighing in on tennis’ greatest of all time and instead focused the spotlight on Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. The Spaniard has won 22 Grand Slams, more than any other player in history, but has been overlooked by his two biggest rivals.

Djokovic is racing toward a record 22nd Major at the Australian Open, advancing to the semifinals with a straight-sets win over fifth-ranked Andrey Rublev on Wednesday.

Nadal and Djokovic started 2022 level with Federer at 20, but the former marched on from his Slam tally by lifting the Australian Open and the French Open. Djokovic won Wimbledon later that year.

The Swiss icon will not be able to add to his impressive record after ending his 24-year career on the ATP tour when he finished with Nadal in the Laver Cup in September.

But while Federer has dropped to third in a Grand Slam without a reply, he remains Henman’s goat.

Despite Nadal’s current position in the Grand Slam perch, Henman ignored him and told Eurosport: “You should say it’s Federer.”

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And the 48-year-old gave Nadal a further blow by claiming that Djokovic is likely to take the GOAT mantle from Federer by ending his career with the most Grand Slam titles.

“For me, it’s going to be a numbers game, who won the most at the highest level, and that’s the big games, the Slam,” Henman explained.

– Nadal has the lead, but I have felt for some time that Djokovic is the one who ends up on the men’s side the most.

“The chances, because he looks so fit and hungry, I feel he could play for another three or four years.

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